Subscriber Special: "The avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit that stills carries any reward." Money43

June 29, 2015 12:11 PM
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Money43

"The avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit 

that stills carries any reward."

John Maynard Keynes 

 
 

Forbes

The "Shouse" Movement - How Illinois' High Property Tax 

is Driving the American Dream Underground 

By Adam Andrzejewski  | Forbes Editorial

Read today's Forbes editorial, click here

June 29, 2015

 

What's a "Shouse?"  It's a shed/house. 
 
This weird conception has been created to evade high property taxes - and it has implications across America. We discuss this sad development at Forbes today. Here's a picture:
 
 
For much of our history, a home or house was central to the American Dream. But, in Illinois, the "shouse" is fast becoming the strategy to avoid some of the highest property taxes in the nation.
 
Read our editorial at Forbes - how downsizing to this "Shouse" dwelling is the new property tax avoidance strategy.
 
While the American Dream of home ownership is under assault, Illinois public pay, perks, and pensions are out-of-control. 
 
For example - from our data at OpenTheBooks.com:
  • School district treasurers paid up to $352,473
  • Park district managers earn up to $435,203
  • Village managers make up to $292,124
  • Top 10 DuPage County employees clean off $2.021 million in salary
  • 17,000 educators make over $100,000 - a double in just five years
  • 10,000 retired educators will have $100,000 plus lifetime pensions by 2017 
And there's much more... for example, a small community college in Southern Illinois has a President making $442,000 and employs his wife for another $195,000!
 
The solution is a property tax freeze followed by hard caps empowering citizens with veto power on any increases beyond inflation (CPI). Read why this important policy has legislative momentum in Illinois.
 
 
Download our free, award winning Open The Books mobile app now. You can't stop the wasteful spending, until you can simply see the spending.
 
JOIN THE TRANSPARENCY REVOLUTION! 

Matt

Matthew Tyrmand

Deputy Director


Adam Andrzejewski

Chairman & Executive Director 

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