12
Jun
2015
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - For the third time in less than a month, Illinois House Republicans refused to support legislation to freeze property taxes statewide. This time, one of the measures included the exact property tax language Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed.
"I'm disappointed that House Republicans would again turn their backs on middle-class families and homeowners who struggle to pay their property taxes," said state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, who sponsored one of the tax relief measures. "The record is clear: House Republicans have rejected freezing property taxes not once, not twice, but three times in less than one month's time."
On Tuesday, the House debated two measures to freeze property taxes statewide, including House Bill 691 proposed by Bradley. Even though Bradley's proposal was identical to property tax relief language proposed by Gov. Bruce Rauner, the failure of House Republicans to support the measure led to its defeat.
"House Republicans don't want compromise, they don't want to help struggling homeowners and they don't want to strengthen Illinois' middle class," Bradley said. "Three times within a month the House voted to freeze property taxes, and all three attempts were overwhelmingly opposed by House Republicans, including a bill that included Governor Rauner's own proposal."
Bradley said he expects the House to continue debating property tax relief for Illinois homeowners, hoping at some point House Republicans will find a proposal they can support.
"The simple question to House Republicans is: are you loyal to your political party, or are you going to vote for taxpayers and homeowners?," Bradley said.
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