Politics & Government

Tryon Gives Overview of State's Troubled Finances

State Rep. Mike Tryon meets with Grafton Township Senior Bingo.

State Rep. Mike Tryon gave Grafton Township seniors a bleak picture of Illinois’ finances, stressing the need for pension reform.

“This is a difficult time for the state of Illinois and it’s a difficult time for our country,” Tryon said. “Almost every unit of government across the country is feeling some type of financial strain primarily because the economy of the private sector is very anemic.”

“We have not done a good job in Springfield of living within our means,” he said.

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Tryon spoke at the Grafton Township Senior Bingo Tuesday held at the American Legion in downtown Huntley. He gave an overview of the state’s finances then answered questions from the crowd of about 70 seniors.

Illinois continues to struggle to pay for programs initiated by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich _ who begins a 14-year prison sentence this week on corruption charges. He said “1 in 2 children born today are paid for by state taxpayers.”

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There is also the issue of the $88 billion owed to the pension system. Illinois’ constitution guarantees public employees a pension system.

“We can't have those kinds of expenses,” he said. “We need reform. There is not a lot of effort to reform.”

The state has a $33 billion dollar budget however, 1/3 of the budget is earmarked for debt and pensions, Tryon said. The pension system needs to be reformed before it collapses, he said.

“There are ways to fix it fairly and equitably, but people have to be willing to talk about it,” Tryon said.

“Until Illinois stops borrowing money and using tax dollars to pay off debts, it doesn’t look real bright for Illinois,” he said.

Meanwhile, taxpayers are strapped too dealing with lowered home prices, increasing gas and food prices, said one audience member.

Tyron said he could sympathize. His Crystal Lake home was assessed in 2007 at $345,000. He appealed his assessment and it was changed to $230,000. “It’s being assessed for what I almost paid for it in 1994,” he said. “My tax bill in 1994 was $3,000. Last year it was $7,600.”

High property taxes in the area, and surrounding suburbs, is becoming troublesome. It is not good to be known as the place where you pay more in property taxes than you pay for your house, he said. “We have a real problem,” he said. He has been pushing for changes in how and when homes are assessed, he said.

Tryon also talked about the redistricting maps legislators conducted last year.  His district has changed and he will no longer represent portions of Sun City Huntley. His district now extends into portions of Elgin.

“I have enjoyed representing you,” Tryon said, who is running for election in his new district. “I will still be around. I will be watching very closely to what is happening in Del Webb (Sun City). I have really enjoyed working with Del Webb.”


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