McHenry County History photo
MCHENRY – State representative-elect Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) has placed a target on getting under control what he considers the biggest threat to his constituents: their out-of-control property taxes.
But he's run into an unlikely obstacle in his ongoing campaign to protect property owners – the McHenry County chief deputy clerk. (See McHenry County Clerk's response HERE)
"Property taxes are way too high in McHenry and Kane counties. Working families and seniors are being forced out of their homes because of skyrocketing property taxes," Skillicorn said Monday.
Before being sworn in to succeed retiring State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), Skillicorn has been wrestling with property tax hikes as a trustee for East Dundee. On the very first day possible, Skillicorn submitted for consideration in the April municipal elections a referendum for voters in McHenry County and Kane County.
The petition wording that Skillicorn submitted for public consideration asks whether voters should have a voice in whether their property taxes are raised. The queries, one for Kane County and the other for McHenry County, would say:
While the Kane County referendum is yet to be challenged, McHenry County Clerk Chief Deputy Linda Fitzgerald filed opposition to Skillicorn's referendum Monday – an interesting development, Skillicorn says.
"I find it troubling the Clerk's office would work against property relief. McHenry County Clerk Mary McClellan has already denied our FOIA requests concerning this referendum challenge," Skillicorn said in a statement. "I have to ask, what is Clerk McClellan and Chief Deputy Fitzgerald hiding?"
Skillicorn says he will appeal to the Attorney General's office to gain access to the information about what's going on behind the referendum challenge for McHenry County.
"Let's be crystal clear, The interests that oppose this referendum want to hike our taxes," he said.
Skillicorn will be sworn into the Illinois House Wednesday, the first day of Illinois' 100th General Assembly.
