North Cook News

Illinois State Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) believes actions should have consequences, regardless of a person's position in life.

“Just because an election is decided doesn’t mean law enforcement or the consequences for actions should disappear,” Morrison told North Cook News in reaction to news that Gov. J.B. Pritzker remains under federal probe for an alleged property tax scam. 

The investigation stems from claims that Pritzker and his wife ordered workers to remove all of the toilets from one of their Gold Coast properties as a way of having the residence declared uninhabitable and substantially lowering their property tax bill. According to WBEZ Radio, the assessed market-value price on the home tumbled by more than $5 million because of the changes, saving the couple in the neighborhood of $331,000 in property tax fees.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Cook County Inspector General Patrick Blanchard detailed in a 33-page summary that he arrived at the conclusion the couple had engaged in a “scheme to defraud.” Morrison said he just wants to see the governor have to abide by the same rules applied to everyone else.

“That’s the way the law is supposed to work,” he said. “And finally paying off the amount that should have been paid in the first place does not make it okay.”

Morrison hinted that the governor will be hard-pressed not to let the controversy affect his work or the image the people of Illinois have of him.

“I mean, he’s the cheerleader for this proposed progressive tax,” Morrison said. “It undermines his credibility when he’s trying to avoid his own taxes. You look at all the outstanding issues he has remaining on his agenda this legislative session and these things coming out could certainly impact things.”

Through his attorney, Marc Elias, a partner with the law firm of Perkins Coie, Pritzker said neither he nor his wife have been contacted by law enforcement about the probe. He added that he has down nothing wrong and is convinced it will all be cleared up soon.