Illinois Valley Times

Illinois is preventing people from pursuing the American dream, Liandro Arellano told Illinois Valley Times recently.

Arellano, the Dixon mayor and a candidate for the 45th Senate District seat occupied by Tim Bivins (R-Dixon), said property taxes are forcing people and businesses out of state rather than drawing them in.

"Owning your own home is an important part of the American Dream, and Illinois makes that more difficult than most states," he said. "As an owner of commercial property, I know first-hand how damaging it is on a business' bottom line."

Liandro Arellano | Courtesy of Liandro Arellano

Illinois property taxes have increased 2.5 times faster than the rate of inflation since 1963, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.

"Property taxes are a major challenge for Illinois' taxpayers," Arellano said. "It damages our ability to recruit manufacturers and is a huge burden for homeowners."

Arellano explained that when businesses leave because of taxes, residents are left to pay — if they still have a job. 

"Undoubtedly that is a factor in migration out of Illinois, especially for young people just starting out," Arellano said.

Arellano does, however, see the potential for relief.

"I support efforts to freeze property taxes in exchange for local government relief from various unfunded state mandates," Arellano said. "Such unfunded mandates are a huge driver of costs for local governments; indeed, I have seen first-hand how they can drive up the costs."

Arellano explained that pension mandates affect labor costs, while wage control affects infrastructure maintenance — both areas that he feels need to be reformed. School districts are also damaged by unfunded state ordinances, he said. 

"The solution is less government control, which will bring down the cost of government as a whole," Arellano said. "We need state legislation that relieves these mandates and passes the savings directly on to the taxpayers."

Arellano has been on the road and recently assisted in the inaugural show season at the Historic Dixon Theatre, as well as campaigning with his many volunteers. Arellano also took part in the Lee County Republicans' annual Oktoberfest celebration, in addition to speaking at the monthly meeting of the Winnebago County Republicans. 

"This coming weekend I will spend Saturday and Sunday morning/afternoon on military duty in Machesney Park," Arellano said. 

The 45th District covers  all or parts of Carroll, DeKalb, JoDaviess, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties.