Orland Park continues reduced property tax rebate program; But maintains the Orland Park sales tax hike of .0075 cents

Orland Park continues reduced property tax rebate program

But maintains the Orland Park sales tax hike of .0075 cents

Orland Park Taxpayers will take another hit. In 2002, Orland Park increased its sales tax by .75 percent. The intent was to increase revenues from non-residents who came to the Orland Mall to shop.

To protect residents, Mayor McLaughlin explained back then, he would rebate the majority of homeowner village property taxes. It was called the Property Tax Rebate for Sales Tax Increase Program. 

In 2003, the first rebate averaged $240 a household. It was a fair system. In 2008, as the economy worsened, McLaughlin and the village reneged on their promise and reduced the Property Tax Rebate for the Sales Tax Increase Program. 

In 2009, they revoked it completely. Then, as their re-election fortunes started to look bad, they began re-implementing a weakened version of the Sales Tax Rebate program to shore up their vote. 

Last year, they reimplemented it, but at a reduced rate by putting a rebate pool ceiling and then requiring that it be divided up by how many residents actually apply. 

The more that applied, the lower the rebate amount. 

This year, they are offering the limited rebate again, even though the Orland Park .0075 cent Sales Tax (three quarters of a penny tax) remains in full force. This year's average rebate will be even less than last year, the Village is reporting. That's pretty sad. 

Here's some background info:http://orlandparker.blogspot.com/search?q=rebate