Union Muscle in Referendum Fight

Outside interests continue to play a big role in the push to pass School District 200's tax increase referendum for Jefferson Preschool reconstruction, on the April 9 ballot.  At the downtown Wheaton train station this morning, a half-dozen union members were out in force distributing pro-referendum literature.

The two individuals with whom I spoke indicated that they resided in Naperville and Bartlett, and were working on behalf of the "building trades."  Another worker was wearing an IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) knit hat.

The literature being distributed was an endorsement piece touting politicians and others who support the referendum.  But of the 21 officeholders listed as supporters, 8 don't even live in District 200.  Why are so many outside interests asking you (but not themselves) to pay higher taxes?

In the interest of full disclosure, I no longer reside in Wheaton.  However, I have paid tens of thousands of dollars in property taxes to School District 200 during my 13 years in Wheaton, and have spent a decade studying and reporting on District 200 issues.  Also, I have never supported imposing any tax measure that would impact others but not myself.