Prairie State Wire

Illinois House candidate Peter Breen (R-Lombard) is hoping the important message behind the failure of a property tax relief task force appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker does not get lost in translation.

“On the one hand, it appears that the task force was a gigantic distraction and a complete waste of time," Breen told the DuPage Policy Journal. "But on other hand, it shows that most of the Democrats in the General Assembly do not consider property tax reform to be a serious problem for the state of Illinois or its residents. From what I hear, obviously, the entire process was a sham, but I’m hoping it may have at least served that purpose.”

After much anticipation, the 88-member task force empowered by Pritzker ended with Republican members refusing to sign off on a draft report over concerns that it inadequately reflected their views and failed to propose any major changes for a system they insist needs an overhaul. Breen, who is running against incumbent state Rep. Terra Costa-Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) in the 48th District, argues that Democrats got exactly what they wanted from the process.

Illinois state Rep. Terra Costa-Howard (D-Glen Ellyn)

“There was never any plan to have real open debate, no plan to take a vote, never any thought [given] to preparing alternative proposals so that the General Assembly could have options for lowering property taxes,” Breen said. “Some of the proposals I’ve seen would have actually increased them.”

Breen says he does not anticipate real change as long as Springfield remains under the current leadership. 

“Democrats' only plan is to continue to raise taxes without any plan,” Breen said. “They refuse to allow any voices that might advocate for any real tax deductions. At heart, this system is designed to be cloaked in secrecy and confusion solely for the purpose of pumping huge sums of money into government with no accountability. All the while, property tax appeal lawyers, including Mike Madigan and others who set the rules, are making out like bandits.”