Letters: Assessor’s office helpful
May 28, 2012 9:38PM
Updated: July 3, 2012 8:48AM
I would like to thank Joseph Kral and his staff at the Frankfort Township assessor’s office for the help they have given me.
This past year, I have had questions concerning the rise of my taxes, what is required to grade the yard for better flow of excess rain/snow melt water, driveway requirements, what is required when replacing a roof and more.
My questions were answered in a competent, polite manner. When it didn’t involve that department, they directed me to the correct one, giving me the proper phone numbers and departments. I was given a copy of my property information to see exactly how my taxes were arrived at.
Happily or not, our next tax bills are here, and I would suggest that if you have questions or comments, contact the Frankfort Township assessor’s office for help. What they do not know off hand they will find out for you and get back quite promptly.
Melinda Manoni-Granzyk
Frankfort
No more power plays
A powerful tool of change is being abused by House Speaker Michael Madigan. The Illinois Constitution provides a process by which constitutional amendments can be put to voters, but limits the number that can be considered during one election. No more than three articles of our Constitution can be amended at one time.
One constitutional amendment that deserves a public vote is a cost-savings proposal to merge the offices of the state comptroller and treasurer. The resolution was adopted by a unanimous vote of the Senate on March 31, 2011, but is being held by Speaker Madigan while other amendments get priority.
The speaker is pushing his proposal to require a super-majority, three-fifths vote for passage of any legislation to increase pension benefits. Because of the cost-saving potential, I support his proposal. However, the Senate Executive Committee on April 18 approved two more constitutional amendments — one to provide additional rights to crime victims, and the other requiring each state’s attorney to be a resident of the state.
These issues are important and I support them, but if they advance, there will be no room for the comptroller/treasurer merger amendment on the ballot.
Constitutional amendments should not be subject to political games or power plays. The state’s attorney residency amendment is not particularly time-sensitive nor does it have the cost-savings impact of comptroller/treasurer merger. If Speaker Madigan is serious about addressing the state’s fiscal crisis, he needs to let the comptroller/treasurer merger amendment have an immediate hearing in the House.
State Sen. Bill Brady
Bloomington
