I held housing/property taxes flat during my four years as Waukegan Mayor. In contrast, Sam Cunningham increased housing/property taxes by 13.5%. Property tax is levied on all houses, apartment buildings, and other properties. Homeowners pay this tax directly. The landlord pays this tax for renters and passes it on as part of the rent payments, driving up rents. It also impacts business owners. Each year, the City Council approves the tax levy. The tax levy tells the county how much money to collect from Waukeganites. Even though I did not raise your property taxes, your property tax bill increased these last four years due to tax increases by your schools, county, townships, park districts, and other taxing bodies on your tax bill.
Sam Cunningham also increased the city’s sales tax by 20%. Higher sales taxes cost our residents extra money and hurt our businesses by encouraging shopping elsewhere.
When he ran for mayor, Sam Cunningham promised he would not raise your property taxes. He immediately broke his promise by raising property taxes by 3.8% in just his first year.
Even more alarming is that Sam Cunningham then lies about raising the property tax. In the 2021 election, he claimed I was lying about the 13.5% property tax increase and even claimed property taxes went down 11% during his term. All this despite all the evidence, including newspaper articles and government documents.
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Here is proof that Sam Cunningham raised Waukegan’s property taxes by $4.4 million, a 13.5% increase.
This election, Sam Cunningham is sticking with the lie. His first campaign flyer states: “4 years ago, Ann Taylor told you Sam Cunningham raised your property taxes by 13%. That was a lie.” It is appalling that Sam Cunningham could so blatantly lie. He must think the voters are stupid. The choice in the April 1 election is for someone who keeps their promises versus someone who breaks their promises and lies about it.