McLean County Times

Illinois state Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa) was among a group of Democratic legislators who recently rejected a motion by Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) that aimed to “end systemic conflicts of interest” in the state's broken property tax system.

“These conflicts generate disproportionate outcomes, increase costs and often benefit politically connected insiders,” Mazzochi said in a press release.

Despite her warnings, all but one Democrat voted No on the measure, which ultimately fell by a 40-23 vote.

Illinois state Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa)

“Currently this task force has 90 members," Mazzochi said in the release. "It is absurd to suggest we can’t have a subcommittee to target conflicts of interest that both sides of the aisle know exist. Today’s vote demonstrates that members of the [Democratic] majority are insincere about real reform.” 

Mazzochi also asserted that all those voting No stand to “profit from the property tax system” in some way.

“If this task force wants to achieve meaningful reform, we must address the problem of high-level political insiders who game the system, whether at the state, county or local level,” she said. “Illinois residents already pay among the highest property taxes in the nation. They don’t need an added corruption tax."

Fellow DuPage County Reps. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville), Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) and Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) joined Mazzochi in supporting the measure.