Law aims to strengthen transparency regarding local tax changes

From Illinois Business Journal news services

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law a plan aimed to make the public more accessible to news of possible tax changes.

Current truth in taxation laws require taxing bodies to post notices in newspapers that compare existing property tax levies to their proposed levies. The new law adds a requirement to taxing districts with websites to post such notices on their webpages.

The new requirements add no additional cost to taxpayers and enable easier sharing of proposals via new media like Twitter and Facebook.

“I want to express my gratitude to Gov. Rauner for joining with the General Assembly in affirming this unopposed, common sense plan,” said Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, the sponor of Senate Bill 792. “By posting notices online in addition to print advertising, we disseminate information about important tax hearings more quickly, and give constituents the most opportunity to register support or opposition to a proposal.”

The legislation was Senate Bill 792. It will become effective Jan. 1, 2016.