Vote "NO" on November 3rd on Frankfort and Will County Property Tax Hike

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Here we are again, Frankfort residents. Four years later, another government taxing district is asking property owners to reach deeper into their pockets. In November 2022, Frankfort-area voters overwhelmingly rejected a property tax increase proposed by the Frankfort Park District. 4,832 residents voted NO, compared with only 3,078 voting YES. That was a decisive 61% rejection. At the time, the Park District claimed its existing funding was inadequate and warned that nonessential maintenance could be reduced if the referendum failed. The voters rejected the increase, and to the Park District's credit, they continued operating and providing services without the additional tax revenue they claimed was necessary. They found a way to make it work within their existing financial resources, just as taxpayers and businesses are expected to do every day.

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Apparently, the message voters delivered four years ago has not ended the requests for more taxpayer money. Now comes the Frankfort Fire Protection District, asking voters on November 3, 2026, to approve another massive increase in property taxes. Here is exactly what the referendum question says on the ballot:

"Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Frankfort Fire Protection District, Will and Cook Counties, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.325% above the limiting rate for fire protection and ambulance purposes for levy year 2025 and be equal to 1.0481% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2026?"

For those of you who, like me, don't quite understand the confusing language used in this referendum, let me explain in simple terms what they are really asking us to approve. They want to increase our property taxes, and not by a little. They are asking for a MASSIVE property tax increase! The referendum would authorize an increase in annual property tax revenue from approximately $15.56 million to $22.55 million. THAT IS NEARLY $7 MILLION MORE IN ANNUAL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE, AN INCREASE OF APPROXIMATELY 45%! Let that sink in. Nearly seven million dollars more in annual taxing authority. And this is NOT a one-time tax increase. The referendum contains no automatic expiration date, so the higher taxing authority would continue in future years. To be clear, the 45% figure refers to the proposed increase in the Fire Protection District's tax revenue, not a 45% increase in every homeowner's total property tax bill.

The Fire Protection District says it needs additional funding for staffing, equipment, facility maintenance, and emergency services. Nobody disputes the importance of firefighters and paramedics. Their work is essential, and residents expect dependable emergency services. But the importance of those services does not give any government agency a blank check. When did asking taxpayers for millions more become the preferred answer to rising government expenses? Taxpayers are not an unlimited source of revenue. Illinois already has the second-highest effective residential property tax rate in the United States and ranks among the states with the highest gasoline taxes. Homeowners, retirees, families, and businesses are already paying substantial taxes simply to live and operate in this state. Yet another taxing body is asking them to pay more.

My position is simple: I oppose any additional property tax increase, regardless of which taxing district is requesting it. I believe government agencies must operate within their existing financial resources, just as homeowners, retirees, and businesses are expected to do. I do not support paying another penny in additional taxes. Government agencies should be expected to make difficult financial decisions just as the families and businesses funding them must do every day. When household expenses rise, residents cannot simply demand more income from their neighbors. They adjust their budgets, eliminate unnecessary spending, postpone purchases, and make difficult choices. Why shouldn't government agencies be held to the same standard?

Four years ago, the Park District warned about the consequences of rejecting its referendum. The increase was rejected, and the district continued operating. And I firmly believe the Frankfort Fire Protection District and EMS can do exactly what the Park District did four years ago: find a way to continue operating and providing essential services without the massive property tax increase they are requesting. I am not suggesting that operating without additional funding will be easy, but taxpayers face difficult financial decisions every day. Government agencies should be expected to do the same. The rejection of a referendum does not eliminate the responsibility to provide essential services. It means the district must find a way forward within the financial resources available to it. I believe the Fire Protection District can rise to that challenge, just as the Park District did.

Four years ago, voters made their expectations clear when they rejected another proposed property tax increase. On November 3, the Fire Protection District's proposal will face that same public scrutiny.

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