Everything from property taxes to groceries and parking could cost more if Coal City voters pass a home rule referendum on April 4, a non-profit advocacy group is warning in a flier.
Chicago-based Taxpayers United of America (TUA) warned that home rule would allow the city to impose new taxes and raise the pay of local officials without voter input.
“I like to call it home ruin," TUA President Jim Tobin said. "Home rule always means higher taxes because it removes the cap limiting the amount that bureaucrats can increase property taxes. It gives bureaucrats a blank check, and how many government bureaucrats would you trust with a blank check bearing your signature?”
The TUA flier also said that 80 percent of local taxes were used for government employees' salaries and benefits. It listed the top 10 annual salaries in Coal City, with Village Administrator Matthew Fritz's $96,465 at the top and police officer Matthew Dillon's $65,550 salary at No. 10.
The TUA flier was addressed to seven communities voting on home rule or property tax increases. The group is urging residents in Lynwood to also vote against home rule and voters in Berwyn, Evanston, Hinsdale and Oak Park to vote down property tax hikes.
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