Whats going at Oak Park River Forest High School? (Chicago: for sale, real estate)

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by ndfmnlf

And why single out property taxes? Doesn't the whole argument apply to all forms of taxes? Isn't it a fact that taxpayers don't necessarily benefit from all the income taxes they pay, and these benefits are actually redistributed to those who pay less into the system?

Property taxes are singled out because that is the predominant method for funding schools in Illinois. In Oak Park, there is serious grumbling about sky high property taxes that are forcing long-term residents out of houses they can no longer afford. What Oak Park needs is less families and more young single professionals who pay taxes but don't use many services. That's why I'm all for more condo construction in downtown OP!

[ndfmnlf]

Property taxes are singled out because that is the predominant method for funding schools in Illinois. In Oak Park, there is serious grumbling about sky high property taxes that are forcing long-term residents out of houses they can no longer afford. What Oak Park needs is less families and more young single professionals who pay taxes but don't use many services. That's why I'm all for more condo construction in downtown OP!

Property taxes are high everywhere in Illinois, but our state income taxes are low. Property taxes can be lowered, but that will likely result in high state income taxes. No free lunch here.

On the flipside, don't high property taxes reflect rising property values? If property taxes are being used to improve local schools, and if the improved schools result in higher property values, don't property owners benefit from the taxes even though they have no children using the schools? If my house appreciates 3 to 5% a year, and property taxes are 2 to 3% a year, don't I come out ahead?

[BJT83]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

What Oak Park needs is less families and more young single professionals who pay taxes but don't use many services.

Just for that, I'm gonna abuse the crap outta city services.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by BJT83

Just for that, I'm gonna abuse the crap outta city services.

Are you going to enroll in Elementary school again?

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by ndfmnlf

Yeah, concerned resident is the resident race-baiter of this forum. I wouldn't take everything he says on his post at face value, though. For all you know, he made it all up.

But to go back to taxes....sure there is some unfairness if your property taxes support people who don't actually live in your city. So the solution is, make them live there. That way, they share the tax burden. But then, we'll hear complaints from concerned resident about the "influx of minorities" blah blah blah......

And why single out property taxes? Doesn't the whole argument apply to all forms of taxes? Isn't it a fact that taxpayers don't necessarily benefit from all the income taxes they pay, and these benefits are actually redistributed to those who pay less into the system?

Not in Oak Park. As a city it really embraces diversity.

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Property taxes are singled out because that is the predominant method for funding schools in Illinois. In Oak Park, there is serious grumbling about sky high property taxes that are forcing long-term residents out of houses they can no longer afford. What Oak Park needs is less families and more young single professionals who pay taxes but don't use many services. That's why I'm all for more condo construction in downtown OP!

Its worked pretty well in Evanston. Most of the owners of the new (expensive) condos don't have children in the schools, they don't require many social services, and they spend money in local stores and restaurants. Its a win-win situation for everyone.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by ndfmnlf

Property taxes are high everywhere in Illinois, but our state income taxes are low. Property taxes can be lowered, but that will likely result in high state income taxes. No free lunch here.

On the flipside, don't high property taxes reflect rising property values? If property taxes are being used to improve local schools, and if the improved schools result in higher property values, don't property owners benefit from the taxes even though they have no children using the schools? If my house appreciates 3 to 5% a year, and property taxes are 2 to 3% a year, don't I come out ahead?

I agree that the state income tax is actually too low (flat 3%) resulting in overdependence on the property tax. As a relatively high income earner, I say thank you to all Illinoisans who support the status quo.

Regarding the second point, you're assuming that the tax money is not being wasted. There was an article in last weeks Wednesday Journal, the local OP paper about the number of school employees making over 100k.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by ndfmnlf

On the flipside, don't high property taxes reflect rising property values? If property taxes are being used to improve local schools, and if the improved schools result in higher property values, don't property owners benefit from the taxes even though they have no children using the schools? If my house appreciates 3 to 5% a year, and property taxes are 2 to 3% a year, don't I come out ahead?

I guess the point is, the quality of education available should not be dictated by personal wealth. The way its set up, thats very much the case.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Anthera

Not in Oak Park. As a city it really embraces diversity.

Yes, but even in Oak Park, there's always the undertone of race (or more accurately class) in discussions about schools.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Anthera

Its worked pretty well in Evanston. Most of the owners of the new (expensive) condos don't have children in the schools, they don't require many social services, and they spend money in local stores and restaurants. Its a win-win situation for everyone.

Except for the NIMBYs who don't want Evanston/Oak Park to ever change. Its almost pathological the reasons some of them use to oppose new building projects.