Is Wheaton collecting downtown tax under false pretenses?

Many people were angry to learn that, as reported by the Champaign News-Gazette, the State of Illinois has helped itself to money that taxpayers designated, on their tax returns, to go to various charities.  Illinois allows a "checkoff" that has collected over $1.2 million this year through taxpayers donating part of their refunds to charitable causes like fighting Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer.  Instead of paying the money for the advertised purpose, however, the State has "borrowed" it for other purposes (it will be repaid, they promise - you trust them, don't you?).

Downtown Wheaton property owners pay about 16% more in property taxes because of the City's Special Service Area No. 6.  Supposedly, this extra money is funding the Downtown Wheaton Association (DWA).  In fact, according to a memo included as part of tonight's (6/27) City Council agenda, the majority of the money - 60% - is instead being diverted to shore up the City's tax increment financing (TIF) districts.  So merchants and other property owners are getting back only 40 cents on their DWA tax dollars, while the City rakes off the rest to cover its TIF shortfalls.  If we can't beat Springfield, let's join them.

Despite the economic downturn, the memo reports that the DWA wants to extend the special extra tax, although at a lower rate that would only tax downtown owners about 7-8% more than other property owners.  The DWA wants to make up the difference by having the City give it the TIF portion of the tax.

Many of us saw our property tax bills rise this year despite falling property values, because taxing bodies continue to increase their levies.  Placing any additional tax burden on downtown Wheaton seems like a bad idea in this economy.  Any risk that much of the additional burden would be diverted from its advertised purpose seems like an even worse idea.  Higher taxes haven't helped the state pay its bills, and they're not the answer in Wheaton either.