that property taxes would be raised. This proves that Kane County has done a great
job at utilizing what they have had. The Kane County Treasurer has brought in
approximately $10M in surplus. Anderson explained that 60% of property taxes go to
the County's public schools. The Illinois State Board of Education in 2022 stated that
Aurora School District had a graduation rate of 89%, but only 17% of students were
reading at grade level, 14% at math level. In the Geneva School District, 44% of
graduates read at grade level and only 42% at math. St. Charles School District has
only 53% of their students reading at grade level. Anderson stated that raising property
taxes to support the failing school districts is not working. This averages out to be
approximately $17K per student in Kane County. This shows an opportunity to look into
the taxes and ask what is going wrong. Anderson quoted a press release from
September 19, 2022 by Dale Berman.
Kane County resident, Mary Kay Sharp-Coler, explained that the budget states the
County Board received $103.4M from the Federal Government for the American
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This money was to help defray the costs associated with it's
response to the COVID-19 pandemic within the County. She asked the Committee
what costs needed to be defrayed from COVID-19. After further review of the budget,
Sharp-Coler found that the County has bought pretzels and granola bars under office
supplies. This is an example of waste and poor use of resident's tax dollars. The Kane
County Treasurer's Office has brought in an additional $10M, which exceeded their
projections. The Board's focus on raising taxes by 5%, as well as, raising the
assessment of homes by 10%, would be catastrophic for all residents in this economy
with inflation of 17%. Additionally, Sharp-Coler stated that Administrative employees of
Kane County receive a generous raise each year. Madam Chairman Pierog makes
$105K per year. Sharp-Coler noted that her salary is no where near that amount.
Presently, prices on everything has skyrocketed, but not our income. With the
proposed tax increase, this would be unbearable to the residents. She ended with
quoting "Taxation without Representation".
Kane County resident, Roxane Shilka, quoted Constitution Attorney KrisAnne Hall, "We
have forgotten that we the people are the rulers over government and have allowed
government to become rulers over people". Government does not create value or
wealth, it can only spend money of those that are working. The County Board is not the
County's rulers, but are the representatives. As such, the Board should be the
guardians of our rights and our private property. The United States has prospered
because of the liberties and freedoms that we have. Kane County has one of the
highest tax rates in Illinois. According to the latest IRS tax data, Illinois is the third
biggest loser of residents and wealth compared to other states. Surveys have said that
property taxes, crime, schools, and corruption are the reasons for this. Illinois has lost
major businesses and scores of small businesses. Shilka explained that inflation is
rapid, stores are closed, consumer debt is rising due to families being unable to make
ends meet. In fact, 22 states have reduced taxes in the last two years, yet Kane County
wants to raise them. Kane County may see a small influx because of people leaving
Chicago. However, if Kane County follows Chicago's lead in taxes, crime, school
failure, and corruption, it will not be long before we see Chicago results. More people
and businesses will leave the state without stopping in Kane County. In conclusion,
Shilka shared characteristics of good government. She would like the Board to think
about these characteristics and the long-term prosperity of Kane County.