AFP-Illinois Files Ethics Complaint Against Rochester Public Library District
ROCHESTER, IL – Today, Americans for Prosperity-Illinois (AFP-Illinois) filed an ethics complaint with the Illinois State Board of Elections alleging that the Rochester Public Library District is illegally using public resources to conduct a vote yes campaign for a massive 169% property tax hike.
The Rochester Public Library District board and certain staff members have held multiple public meetings to discuss illegally supporting a referendum to raise taxes – known legally as election interference.
Per published Rochester Public Library District board meeting minutes over a period from 2022-2024 board and staff members discussed in public meetings:
- “Recruiting members for Vote Yes Committee.” (6/8/2023)
- “Recruit, Train, and support” for the Vote Yes Committee (9/21/2023)
- “Begin the campaign for the referendum.” (11/9/2023)
- “The board discussed how to structure the Vote Yes honorary chairs and others who can serve on the committee.” (1/11/2024)
- “(President) Deen has drafted a campaign plan and will share. (1/11/2024)
The property tax hike referendum, if passed, would…
- Raise the Library District’s property tax levy by 167%. (Source)
- Increase the average homeowner’s property tax bill by $444 a year. (Source)
- Allow for bigger annual property tax levy hikes each year going forward. (Source)
AFP-Illinois State Director Jason Heffley released the following statement:
“The campaign funded by the Rochester Public Library District clearly violates the State of Illinois Election Code’s Election Interference prohibition. Using public resources on a campaign that will hike property taxes in the district is an unfair use of taxpayer dollars and an insult to hardworking Illinoisans. Unfortunately, this practice is too common in local governments across IL – AFP-Illinois will continue to stand up for taxpayers’ interest when we see this illegal activity.”
