7% Property Tax Assessment Cap

November 27, 2007

Dear TRAC supporter,
Recently, you may have received a letter from House Speaker Mike Madigan in response to either your phone call or your postcard filled out at the October TRAC Rally at Humboldt Park, asking for Speaker Madigan's support on the 7% Property Tax Assessment Cap.

In the letter, Speaker Madigan correctly points out that he voted yes on the bill and included his roll call vote to prove it.

What Speaker Madigan failed to reveal to you is that in March he personally sent letters to all the Chicago Aldermen pointing out the "winners and losers" in their Wards. This strategy was based on a study of the 7% by the University of Illinois in Chicago – but the authors of that study have publicly stated* that using those terms was "fruitless and divisive." Regardless, Speaker Madigan had his legal counsel, Robert Uhe, send letters to the State Representatives – again using the terms "winners and losers."**

We find his actions to be confusing and in direct opposition to his stated "yes" vote. The material that he and his counsel are sending around is the same material that the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is "sharing" with elected officials too.

We agree that you should encourage more active support from Assessor Houlihan and Mayor Daley. But we also strongly encourage you to challenge Speaker Madigan to find the necessary votes needed to pass the 7% Property Tax Assessment Cap. He has a Democratic majority in the House. This bill is being sponsored by a group of Democratic Representatives. Other Democratic elected officials support it, Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich to name just two. There are Republicans that are voting "yes" on the renewal. Speaker Madigan can get it passed – if he wants to.

CRUNCH TIME!
VETO SESSION NOVEMBER 28, 29 & 30
MAKE THE CALLS TO THE FOLLOWING:
Governor Blagojevich
312-814-2121
217-782-0244
Speaker Mike Madigan
773-581-8000
217-782-5350
Mayor Richard Daley
312-744-3300
YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Click here http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx

TODAY!
Kwame Raoul
13th, State Senator Democrat
M121 Capitol Bldg.Springfield, IL 62706
217/782-5338 217/782-1171 Fax
1013 E. 53rd Street Chicago, IL 60615
773/363-1996 773/363-5099 Fax

Elga L. Jeffries
26th, State Representative Democrat
109 Capitol Springfield, IL 62706
217-782-2023 217-782-8569 Fax
435 East 35th Street1st Floor Chicago, IL 60616
773-373-9400 773-373-9787 Fax

Mattie Hunter
3rd, State Senator Democrat hunter@senatedem.state.il.us
611-C Capitol Bldg. Springfield, IL 62706 217/782-5966 217/782-3961 Fax 2929 S. Wabash Ave.Ste. 201 Chicago, IL 60616 312/949-1908 312/949-1958 Fax

Kenneth Dunkin
5th, State Representative Democrat kendunkin@msn.com
290-S Stratton Building Springfield, IL 62706
217/782-4535 217/782-4213 Fax
1520 N. Wells Chicago, IL 60610
312/266-0340 312/266-0699 Fax


The Gap Community Organization
thegapco@hotmail.com