North Cook News

Jillian Rose Bernas, 56th District candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives, said measures on the November ballot to raise taxes in some locations are evidence politicians want to maintain the status quo.

“Taxpayers should see the proposals to raise our sales and property taxes that will appear on ballots this November as a clear signal that lawmakers have no intention to change a broken system,” Bernas told the North Cook News. “Lawmakers benefit from this system at our expense.”

She is referring to a referendum in November to boost sales tax in Frankfort and in Ford, Lake, Kane and Will counties by up to 1 percent. For example, Ford County’s Board is asking voters to back a quarter-cent sales tax hike, while the Village of Frankfort is considering a 1-percent increase.

State Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg)

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve has proposed a plan to increase property taxes by 50 percent annually over the next 30 years to reverse the state’s problem with unfunded pension liabilities.

Bernas, a Schaumburg resident working in the healthcare industry, said it is up to voters to put a stop to excessive tax-and-spend policies.

“If we are complicit in letting lawmakers ask for more and more of our hard-earned dollars, while not holding them accountable for failed leadership and voting them out of office, then we will continue to see our investments diminished, our neighbors moving out, and our state failing to fund core services,” she said.

During her grassroots outreach to constituents, Bernas said she has found plenty of voters are alarmed at the state’s out-of-control fiscal condition. She criticized her opponent, Democratic incumbent Rep. Michelle Mussman, for doing little to address the state’s economic ills.

“Families are telling me at the door that they cannot keep up with tax increases, yet Mussman’s only response is tax increases,” she said. “You cannot expect her to have a plan to change a system that serves her. I am running for state representative to put families before party leadership.”

Bernas reminded voters that only a change at the ballot box would correct the state’s problems.

“This system that favors lawmakers over their constituents will continue until we vote new leaders into office that will have the integrity to usher in reforms over tax increases,” she said.

The 56th District covers parts of Cook and DuPage counties, the city of Rolling Meadows, and the townships of Bloomingdale, Elk Grove, Palatine, Schaumburg and Wayne.