Will County Gazette

Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) is disgusted by the swelling number of Illinois property owners that are deeply underwater.

“It’s shameful that we’re at this point and things have become this hard for people,” Batinick told the Will County Gazette. “Government shouldn’t be in the business of playing a role in making life this hard for people.”

Property data experts ATTOM Data Solutions recently reported that 387,854 property owners across the state owe mortgages of at least 25 percent more on their loans than their property is worth.

“Property tax increases have a direct effect on the value of a home,” said Batinick, who is running for re-election in November’s general election. “Every tax hike increase affects property value.”

Among Illinois counties, Boone, Montgomery and Bond had the highest percentage of property owners with underwater mortgages. Forty percent of Boone-area property owners are impacted and an average of 38 percent of those in Montgomery and 37 percent in Bond.

The findings are even harder for Batinick to stomach because he knows that lawmakers are aware of just how many people are struggling.

“There’s always a lot of talk in Springfield about everything,” he said. “It’s just so many times no one’s willing to do much or what needs to be done.”

The way he sees it, there are things that can be done to help the state rebuild and help property owners regain their footing by not having to pay so much in taxes, Batinick said.

“We can save by having just average workmen compensation rates and by consolidating certain branches of government,” he said.  “Just like high taxes make it difficult for businesses to survive, they also make it difficult for streamlined, effective government to run and function efficiently.”

First elected in 2014, Batinick has made the issues of fiscal responsibility and pension reform platforms of his re-election campaign.