Will County Gazette

Scott Greene, candidate for state representative in the 86th District, recently gave his opinion on the issue of high taxes in Illinois.

Greene criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker's management of federal COVID relief funds and PPP loans during the pandemic.

"I recently read that Pritzker gave COVID money to BLM. MILLIONS....Wasn't BLM and Antifa that did millions upon millions of dollars in damage in Illinois? As usual his priorities are skewed. He should have never shut the state down like he did and as long as he did anyway," Greene told Will County Gazette.

Illinois' property tax rate is the second highest in the nation at 2.27%, behind only New Jersey, according to a June report by Rocket Mortgage. The owner of a $194,500 home in Illinois will pay $4,942 annually in property taxes. 30 states have property tax rates lower than 1%.

"Property taxes in Illinois are the highest in the country. It is another form of robbery in my opinion," Greene said. "What has it gotten us? High property taxes don't just affect homeowners, but also those that rent. The landlord is going to make sure they get their money back. The property tax revenue is falling into the black hole of local school budgets. Why does a person have to pay such a high burden to keep their home that they have paid off? Illinois can do better. Let's balance a budget, cut wasteful spending and make tax cuts a reality."

Pritzker doubled Illinois' gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents in 2019, according to Fox News. Pritzker also instituted an annual gas tax increase. Illinois Democrats passed legislation postponing this year's scheduled gas tax increase of 2.2 cents from July to January, Fox News reported.

The gas tax increase delay was part of a bundle of tax rebates and delays in the record $46.5 billion FY 23 budget, according to Illinois Policy. The tax rebates and delays will save the average Illinois family $556. The 2.2 cents increase to the gas tax will take effect Jan. 2023, and will be followed by another increase in July 2023, likely of 3.8 cents per gallon, bringing Illinois' total gasoline tax up to 45.2 cents per gallon.

Greene believes that the gas tax should be eliminated permanently and called the temporary gas tax relief "a slap in the face" and "an insult to The People of Illinois."

"The gas tax that doubled should be slashed. This temporary halt is a political tactic that most people see straight through now. The political corruption status quo and dirty games is soon to end," Greene said."1%. No one is getting rich on that savings. It's a joke and the current administration in Illinois can not be taken seriously. Repeal that gas tax!"

A March report by WalletHub found that Illinois has the tenth overall highest tax burden in the nation at 9.7%. The report weighed property taxes, income taxes, and sales and excise taxes.