Dan Ugaste said all the dysfunction in Springfield has led to the American Dream playing out like a nightmare for too many residents.
"While the American Dream is to own your family home, the Illinois nightmare is the loss of your home and/or its value because of an excessive and at times corrupt property tax system," Ugaste, a Geneva Republican running to replace retiring Rep. Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) in the 65th District, said in a press release. “The taxes are excessive and the assessment/appeal process can be corrupt.”
Ugaste also points to U.S. Census data that indicated the average income for Illinois workers grew by just 7 percent over a seven-year period commencing in 2008 while the real property tax burden rose more than five times during the same period.
“When property taxes grow this much faster than our paychecks, if we do not all eventually lose our homes, we will most likely experience a loss in home value,” Ugaste said. “Excessive property taxation in Illinois means far fewer people will consider buying a home in Illinois, or spend money to maintain or improve their home.”
Ugaste said unless legislators address and fix the inequity, the state will continue to experience rampant out-migration with residents continuing to head for the border for a brighter future.
“We need to relieve Illinois residents of their excessive property tax burden,” Ugaste said in the release. “There are a number of ways to do it and I am running for state representative to provide this relief.”
Ugaste said as he’s traveled the state spreading his message he’s heard too many stories of people leaving the state because they simply could not continue to pay all the spiraling taxes.
“Unless we drastically lower our property taxes, Illinois will continue to spiral downward resulting in few businesses, fewer jobs and lower population,” Ugaste said. “Join me in the fight, not only to save taxpayers money, but to save our state."
The 65th House District includes Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Pingree Grove, Hampshire and Huntley.
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