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Small tax increase for forest district likely to passChicago Sun-TimesNovember 9, 2005By Steve PattersonFor the 12th straight year, Cook County Board President John Stroger is asking taxpayers to pay more in property taxes to support the forest preserve district. The modest increase -- $2.74 more on a $200,000 house -- drew no real outcry and it provided no controversial lightning rod issue for critics to grab onto, but they said any tax increase is too much. "The president didn't get the memo that the public doesn't want tax hikes," Commissioner Mike Quigley said, pointing to "a lack of discipline" in spending with a district that's "still top-heavy." But Stroger said he's streamlining operations and adding more workers in the field. Still, Commissioner Forrest Claypool -- like Quigley, vying for Stroger's job -- said "we still have approximately one supervisor for each worker" and a budget that reaches too deeply "into the pockets of hard-working taxpayers." Stroger wants $46 million to run the preserves, plus $97 million to help run the Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Half of the proposed tax increase would pay for those operations, while the other half would help pay down a bond issue passed last year for maintenance and construction on district properties. The annual $1.37 on a $200,000 house to pay for that work would be added to all property tax bills, regardless of any other increases, for 18 more years. Civic Federation president Laurence Msall said there still are no details of exact projects for that spending, while the budget "lacks innovation or details as to what taxpayers will get for their maximum property tax increase." After a series of public hearings, the full board will vote on the budget next month -- though even critics expect a smooth passage. Commissioner Tony Peraica, another Stroger critic, cited some need for improvement, but said "it's a reasonable tax increase" to pay for projects taxpayers will enjoy.
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