In Tuesday’s Peoria Journal Star, I saw that the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce took out a small ad (image at right) on the front of the Business section. It says, “The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce says THANK YOU to Peoria city and county leaders, their administrators and partners for balancing their budgets without any tax increases. This is a huge benefit to our regional businesses and residents!”
Brought to you by an organization that supported (or didn’t oppose):
- raising sales taxes to build a museum downtown
- raising property taxes to expand the Peoria Public Library
- District 150’s “efforts to make tough decisions,” including raising property taxes and closing schools
- establishment of a charter school which will lead to higher taxes at least in the short run
Some taxes hurt “regional businesses and residents,” but others don’t. Only the Chamber can tell the difference. And did you notice that the Chamber is representing regional residents now? I guess they think they speak for everyone.
If I might be allowed to speak for myself — as not just a “regional” resident, but an actual Peoria city and county resident — a static tax rate is not a “huge benefit” when it’s coupled with continued cuts in service. Who wants to keep spending the same amount for fewer and fewer benefits? Nor does a static tax rate mean that taxes were not raised. The tax rate is a percentage of the equalized assessed valuation of property within the city/county. If the property values go up and the tax rate remains constant, guess what? We’re paying more in taxes!
And at yesterday’s Peoria County Tax/EDE Committee Meeting, Dave Ryan announced that there would be an increase in the EAV by 4.2% for properties in the following townships …. Akron, Brimfield, Elmwood, Hallock, Hollis, Jubilee, Milbrook, Princeville, Rosefield and Timber. There has to be some type of compliance with a 33.33% rate and it is better to do it here at the local level than have the State have to take care of it. These townships needed to be adjusted by this amount to get them to this level.
Dave said that there would probably not be a lot of impact in this tax cycle because of the levies already being set — I would not know as I do not live in any of those townships. I do know that if your EAV goes up and the tax rate stays the same the same, you would end up paying more in taxes at some point in time.
Peoria businesses really need to rethink their membership to the Chamber. They are becoming way to political and it seems that the more they are this way the more it hurts Peoria and the more it helps the other towns.
I agree with worried. Roberta Parks is really going to far especially in regards to district 150.
Good story, CJ!
Thanks for holding them accountable.
Does anyone have a list or a link to who is on the Peoria Chamber of Commerce Political Action committee?
I will probably bring the wrath of Nontimendumb down on my head again, but…….. who cares?
I am STILL curious why or how the ‘museum tax’ became a [Peoria] county-wide tax. Never could figure out what benefit the outlying towns of Peoria County stood to gain from a museum located in the heart of downtown Peoria. Unless, of course, the [museum] crowds traveling into the area will be so great they will end up staying in Chillicothe hotels, or dining in Elmwood eateries…..? Maybe they will be lining up to by souvenirs in Brimfield…? Maybe 10 of the 12 full-time employees projected to staff the museum will come from Bartonville…?
I always thought it was funny when the final [museum tax] vote was tallied, they discovered that most, if not all of the NO vote came from outside Peoria City limits. Where did all of the YES votes come from?
Take a guess.
Also, I wondered why a tax, which is essentially ANOTHER sales tax, would be thought of as beneficial to ANY business.
I am willing to bet that Notimendumb lives within Peoria City limits.
New Voiceb:
You’re beginning to exhibit some disturbing symptoms regarding the museum and me. The real bitch about being paranoid is that you’ll never be sure if you’re paranoid enough. I should probably disengage rather than contribute to your further deterioration, but I thought we were becoming friends. I did offer to pay your $17 for the museum tax so that you could focus on other things in life.
Commenter: D150 has really got problems.
NV: MUSEUM TAX!!!
Commenter: How about them Cubs?
NV: MUSEUM TAX!!!
Commenter: Nice day isn’t it?
NV: MUSEUM TAX!!!
Wow, it just hit me that I wrote a little play starring you. I think you’re starting to rub off.
Non,
Save your $17.00. You can buy me a beer later for looking out for your best interests…..
I am a Cubs fan. Thanks for the mention in your play.