Representatives Wait and Winters Call For Senior Property Tax Relief
Rockford, IL… At a press conference held at the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging (NIAAA) in Rockford, State Representatives Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) and Dave Winters (R-Shirland) called for property tax relief for seniors in Illinois. Wait and Winters are urging their fellow legislators to help reduce the burden of property taxes on senior households by expanding the property tax freeze and enact aid for long-time homeowners.
House Republicans Introduce Life-Saving Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
Springfield, IL…A group of House Republican lawmakers, including State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere), are calling for new protections to safeguard victims of domestic violence following the murder in Elmhurst of Cindy Bischof. House Republicans are pushing for global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking of offenders who violate orders of protection.
“Last month, Cindy Bischof was murdered in a parking lot outside her workplace by a man who had been stalking her for nearly a year. Cindy did what she could to protect herself under the law. She got an order of protection against her stalker, and she moved her residence several times during the course of the year – unfortunately, the man who killed her ignored the order of protection on several occasions and ultimately claimed her life. It is clear more needs to be done to protect stalking victims and victims of domestic violence.”
Rep. Wait Signs Letter Sent to Governor Concerning SWCD Expenses
Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R, Belvidere) signed a letter today addressed to Governor Rod Blagojevich concerning the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) expenses in the FY08 budget. Of the $7.4 million appropriated to the SWCD, Governor Blagojevich released $1.7 million. The letter calls for the immediate release of the extra $5.75 million that was included in the budget.
“$1.7 million is only enough to operate for the next two months,” stated Wait. “The lack of funds for the SWCD will have a negative effect on many areas of our state. Leaving out such a large amount of money will only hurt us in the long run,” he added.
House Republicans Host Rockford Economic Roundtable
Rockford, IL… Illinois House Republicans hosted an economic development roundtable in Rockford today to discuss their economic stimulus package and the need for a new capital jobs program. The legislators met with local business and labor leaders during the roundtable at Dial Machine, where they discussed efforts to create new jobs and revive the local economy.
Illinois desperately needs a new capital improvement program to create jobs and rebuild Illinois’ infrastructure. That was the message delivered by House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and State Representatives Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) and David Winters (R-Shirland). They support a statewide capital program of at least $10 billion that could create as many as 725,000 new Illinois jobs.
Rep. Wait: Governor’s Message Disguises Taxes on Businesses
Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) said the Democrats must stop proposing measures which hurt Illinois businesses and expand Illinois government. His comments came in response to Governor Blagojevich’s combined State of the State and budget address today which disguised new taxes and fees on Illinois manufactures and businesses primarily to fund new state programs.
Rep. Wait Announces Fast Growth Grant for Prairie Hill School District
Belvidere, IL…To address the needs of a growing student enrollment, State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) announced Prairie Hill School District 133 will receive a Fast Growth Grant awarded by the Illinois State Board of Education. The grant, which totals more than $62,000, will assist with the challenges the school faces with a rapidly increasing student population.
Wait: Local Property Tax Forum Will Help Ease Concerns about Rising Assessments
Belvidere, IL…In response to concerns expressed by local citizens regarding property tax assessments, State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) is holding a public forum Tuesday, February 12 to share vital information about tax assessments with Boone County property owners. The meeting will explain the assessment process, how to make certain a property assessment is fair, and how assessments impact the tax bill.
“Many property owners are not sure how to decipher whether their assessments are fair, how their assessments will affect the amount they are required to pay, or even how assessments are determined,” said Wait. “To help shed some light on this complex issue, I am holding a forum which will detail the assessment process and answer questions and concerns for property owners. It is my hope that all local property owners will consider attending this forum to learn more about this important subject and to receive answers to their questions.”
The Boone County Property Tax Forum will be held:
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Belvidere YMCA
220 West Locust Street
Belvidere, Illinois 61008
Please RSVP to Rep. Wait’s office at 815-547-7771 or email Repwait777@aol.com by Friday, February 8.
“I encourage all area property owners to come to this forum, learn more about property tax assessments, and ask questions,” said Wait. “The more you know about the issue, the easier it will be to analyze your property tax bill and catch discrepancies. It could cut down on stress each year when your tax bill arrives.”
Wait: Chicago Transportation Bills Ignore Statewide Needs
Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait voted against two bills Wednesday raise new taxes in the Chicago area and provide General Revenue funds to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Wait said the two pieces of legislation favor the Chicago area and ignore the infrastructure and transportation needs of Boone, Winnebago, and DeKalb Counties and the rest of the state.
The House passed House Bill 656 which raises $500 million in new taxes in the counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, and Cook counties to go to the RTA and CTA. Wait said the plan increases the state’s contribution to the system by approximately $100 million.
“We cannot continue to throw taxpayer dollars needed to pay our Medicaid providers and other debts towards the Chicago area transportation systems,” said Wait. “Neither one of these bills calls for an increase in fare rates – there hasn’t been an increase in over 2 years. Riders should have a part in paying for their own method of transportation. And these bills only address the operational needs of the RTA. Capital funding is needed to ensure infrastructure and roads throughout the entire state do not continue to weaken.”
Wait said if either one of the passed bills is implemented, hopes for a statewide capital plan will be muted. “A capital plan will provide our area with needed funds for roads and bridges, and improved mass transportation for commuters,” said Wait. “The current Chicago mass transportation situation is the perfect opportunity for our state to pass a capital plan. We should tie the two issues together and work to find a permanent solution to all of Illinois’ transportation concerns.”
Wait, House Colleagues Host Veto Victims
October 2, 2007
Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) and his fellow Assemblymen hosted victims of Governor Blagojevich’s latest round of funding cuts. The rare Committee of the Whole in the House of Representatives offered representatives the chance to delve further into the personal stories of those impacted by the governor’s budget vetoes.
“Today’s panelists confirmed what we’ve known all along – there was no rhyme or reason to the governor’s budget cuts other than politics,” Wait said. “We can certainly tighten our belts a little more, but to cut funding for an emergency room so you can create a massive socialized medicine program doesn’t make sense.”
The nearly six hour hearing gave members of the Illinois House of Representatives the chance to explore the impact of the governor’s budget vetoes on people and organizations throughout the state. Representatives heard testimony from veterans’ advocacy groups, anti-crime organizations, healthcare experts, school officials, and mental health professionals, among others.
Starting Tuesday, the House of Representatives will consider Blagojevich’s vetoes and vote to either override or sustain them. Emil Jones (D-Chicago), the President of the Illinois Senate, also in session this week, has previously indicated that he will not even allow members of his chamber to debate the governor’s vetoes, thereby automatically endorsing the governor’s funding reductions.
For more information or assistance, residents may contact Representative Wait by visiting his office at 411 S. State St. in Belvidere or by calling (815) 547-7771.
Wait Hosts “Real Estate Tax Forum”
September 26, 2007
Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) hosted a “Real Estate Tax Forum” for Winnebago County residents who also reside in Wait’s 69th legislative district. A similar forum, designed to inform and educate residents who recently received their property tax assessments, is planned for Boone County residents after assessments are mailed later this year.
“The Property Tax Forum was a new service I sponsored to help taxpayers better understand the assessment process,” Wait said. “Its important for taxpayers to know how to file an appeal if they think their taxes are unfair.”
The Property Tax Forum, held at the NIU Rockford Education Center, featured a panel of assessors and local officials involved in assessing property taxes. Presenters included Beverly Campion, Winnebago County Supervisor of Assessments, Danielle Giacomazzo, Cherry Valley Township Assessor, Kenneth Crowley, Rockford Township Assessor, Joann Hawes, Roscoe Township Assessor, and David Dale Johnson from the Winnebago County Board of Review.
Presenters provided an overview of the assessment process, described the role of the assessor, spoke about general and instant assessments, and the reasons and steps for an appeal of property tax assessments.
Presenters also answered questions from the 130 residents who attended and provided them the forms required for an appeal. Representative Wait also highlighted recent and pending legislation regarding property taxes and spoke about his efforts to reform the property tax system in Illinois.
“I was thrilled that we were able to help so many taxpayers and answer their questions about property tax assessments,” Wait said. “Our presenters did a fantastic job answering questions and I’m certain attendees left the forum better armed to fight increasing property taxes.”
For more information or assistance, residents may contact Representative Wait by visiting his office at 411 S. State St. in Belvidere or by calling (815) 547-7771.