Sandack Taxpayer Empowerment Bill Clears IL House

DuPage County taxpayers are one step closer to having more control over their tax bills due to legislation sponsored by State Representative Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) that cleared the Illinois House on Wednesday.

HB2459, which was approved unanimously, would amend the Counties Code and prohibit DuPage County from charging property owners a storm water management utility fee without first gaining voter approval through a referendum.

According to Sandack, an original law which allowed DuPage County to adopt a fee schedule to pay for the county’s storm water management gave the county the authority to implement it by ordinance. “My bill is about taxpayer empowerment,” said Sandack. “Today, DuPage County can, after extensive investigation and public participation, adopt a fee schedule through a vote by the board. My bill transfers that power into the hands of the electorate. This bill would require a front door referendum.”

In DuPage County, a portion of current tax bills is designated for storm water management. However, funds are not collected through a fee schedule. “If my bill becomes law, DuPage County could not move to a storm water utility fee-based system until it is approved by voters,” Sandack said. “The County could not utilize both the tax-based and fee-based systems at the same time. It is one or the other and in order to change to a fee-based system, voters must approve of the initiative.”