Schaumburg Business Association
Why the Schaumburg Business Association is Important
The Schaumburg Business Association (SBA) has announced that their legislative committee will have a vote on the property tax proposal in the next few weeks. Simply put, without the support of the Schaumburg Business Association we cannot win this fight against the property tax proposal by the Village of Schaumburg.
If the SBA votes in favor of this property tax proposal it will become much harder, if not impossible, for the people of Schaumburg to avoid this property tax hike.
The Cause for Concern
The Schaumburg Business Association, who represents businesses that will be hurt by increased property taxes, should naturally be in our corner but politics doesn’t always work according to common sense. Getting the SBA to say no to a property tax increase will not be a cakewalk.
Outgoing SBA president Laurie Stone has sent mixed signals on her position on the tax hike proposal recently in the Daily Herald. Laurie Stone is highly influential in Schaumburg’s business and political community and rightly holds a lot of influence with the members of the legislative committee. If she votes in favor of the tax hike, others may follow her lead. We must persuade her that this property tax increase is not in the interest of the business community of Schaumburg.
Also, a number of Village of Schaumburg employees including Village Manager Ken Fritz, who made a recommendation to pass the property tax, and Jennifer Maltas are on the committee and they are likely to vote in favor of the tax increase.
Also, Brian Burke, President and CEO of Links Technology, is on the legislative committee. Links Technology has a contract with the Village of Schaumburg to design and build the Village’s new website. Mr. Burke attended the Village Board meeting where the property tax was proposed and publically announced he was in support for the property tax increase. Links Technology has made 13 donations to Mayor Larson & the Larson-led Friends of Schaumburg campaigns totaling $4,090 over the years. We are not likely to earn his vote either.
Additionally, Douglas Sullivan of the Pace Suburban Bus Service, whose government agency has contracts with the Village and stands to gain from a Schaumburg property tax hike holds a spot on the committee.
Of the 21 spots on the legislative committee we already have 4 likely votes in favor of the tax hike, and a SBA president who hasn’t committed to our side of the battle.
What We Must Do
Our first order of business must be to decisively show that the Taxpayers of Schaumburg are united against the property tax increase and that we are willing to fight side by side with our business community to turn back the tide of ever increasing taxes.
We must engage the members of the Schaumburg Business Association politely, firmly, and relentlessly to vote against the property tax proposal.
STRATEGY:
Have as many Schaumburg citizens and business-owners call the 21 members of the SBA Legislative Committee.
GOAL:
1. Secure as many endorsements on the SBA Legislative Committee against the property tax proposal
2. For SBA Legislative Committee in favor of the property tax proposal we want them to commit to a public referendum. The people of Schaumburg should be given an opportunity to vote on this property tax proposal before it becomes permanent.
