Are Our Taxes Too Low?

Are newcomers to our area shunning the Illinois Quad Cities because taxes are too low? That seems to be the argument used by the Quad City Times and other supporters of the 1 percent school sales tax who claim newcomers look to the Iowa Quad Cities because their schools look better. As always, WE HAVE A DIFFERENT IDEA! When prospective buyers look at property they are given a sheet of information THAT INCLUDES THE PROPERTY TAXES PAID! Property taxes are higher in Rock Island County, among the highest in the nation. Rock Island County is 346th out of 3,143 United States counties in order of median property taxes, Scott County is still high at 556th but better than Rock Island County. Rock Island County is 241st out of 3,143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income, Scott County is 556th. We contend that prospective home buyers compare property and other taxes and fees and choose to live in Iowa because so many taxes are lower there. Raising the sales tax in Rock Island will only make a bad situation worse.