Ammie Kessem, who is running for 19th House District, said she agrees with a resolution introduced by Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) in opposition of new property taxes.
"The citizens of Illinois cannot afford more taxes and raising property taxes another 1 percent would be devastating," Kessem told Chicago City Wire.
Kessem said an average single-family home in her district ranges from $300,000 to $350,000 and the property tax hike would burden homeowners with $3,000 to $3,500 added to their taxes.
Kessem
"The biggest issue I see in all of this is that raising property taxes by any percentage to cover the pension crisis shortfall would do nothing to solve this problem because it does not address how we ended up in this mess to begin with," Kessem said.
Kessem said if she is elected, she intends to create legislation that forces government entities to make good on pension promises now instead of in the future.
"My opponent voted in favor of kicking this can down the road because, in my opinion, he knew full well that it would never come to fruition," Kessem said. "He knew full well that these pensions were insolvent as they stand right now."
Kessem said Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) touts his finance degree, which she believes means if she, as someone who doesn't have a finance degree, can see what is going on, then Martwick can see it, too.
"I’d like to know though, where is the casino that was written into that bill that he voted on? How come there is never any mention of that? A marijuana tax? Please, that ship has sailed a long time ago," Kessem said. "As for Jeannie’s Resolution: I’m certain that (House Speaker) Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) would never let that go to the House floor. I give her an 'A' for effort though."
Kessem ran unopposed in the primary election in March. She will face Martwick, who has held the position since 2013, in November.
Kessem has been a police officer in Chicago since 1999. She and her husband have three children and live in Norwood Park.
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