{"id":2465244,"date":"2025-07-22T13:00:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T17:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watchdog-urges-probe-of-illinois-public-library-amid-property-tax-push-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T13:02:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T17:02:21","slug":"watchdog-urges-probe-of-illinois-public-library-amid-property-tax-push-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watchdog-urges-probe-of-illinois-public-library-amid-property-tax-push-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Watchdog urges probe of Illinois public library amid property tax push &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwatchdog-urges-probe-of-illinois-public-library-amid-property-tax-push-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2465244&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>An Illinois taxpayer watchdog group, Americans for Prosperity-Illinois, has called for a formal investigation into the Rochester public Library, accusing its staff adn board members of improperly using public resources too campaign in support of a 169% property tax increase. The group filed a 35-count ethics complaint and urged state legal authorities to hold those responsible accountable.The complaint highlights that the library used public funds to conduct a survey about the tax referendum, promising respondents confidentiality but then sharing their personal information with campaign officials, which violates state law. The library proposed a 0.42% property tax rate increase to raise funds for construction and operations,which would cost the average homeowner about $37 more per month. The library director defended the board&#8217;s compliance with state laws while an <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >ethics commission acknowledged wrongdoing<\/a> but claimed it lacked the authority to act due to vague local ordinances. The watchdog warns this issue reflects a systemic problem in local governments across Illinois and calls on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nevada-trump-campaign-says-clark-county-registrar-joe-gloria-hiding-from-subpoena-service\/\" title=\"Nevada: Trump ... Says Clark County Registrar Joe Gloria Hiding From Subpoena Service\">state attorney general<\/a> to enforce ethics laws and prevent further abuses.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Watchdog demands probe of Illinois public library amid property tax push<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2179466\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illinois\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Illinois<\/a> taxpayer watchdog is calling for a formal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/investigations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">investigation<\/a> into the Rochester Public <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/library\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Library<\/a>, alleging staff and board members used public resources to campaign for a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/americansforprosperity.org\/press-release\/224508\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">169% property tax increase<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Americans for Prosperity&ndash;Illinois filed a 35-count ethics complaint and is now urging Sangamon County State&rsquo;s Attorney John Milhiser and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to hold officials accountable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3478445\/epstein-files-paralyze-house-johnson-cancel-votes-recess\/\">Epstein files&nbsp;paralyze the House, forcing Johnson to cancel votes and start recess<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3478455\/trump-celebrates-rumor-kimmel-fallon-shows-axed-after-colbert\/\">Trump celebrates rumor Kimmel and Fallon will have shows axed after Colbert<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3478409\/trump-philippine-president-trade-deal-china-tension\/\">Trump talks China and trade with Philippine president at White House<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Through our [Freedom of Information Act] investigation, we found that the library used public funds to conduct a survey about the tax referendum and promised respondents their answers would remain confidential. But they turned that information over to the board president and the campaign committee, a clear violation of state law,&rdquo; said Costin. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s deeply troubling to see personal data used to fuel a political campaign aimed at raising taxes on Illinois residents.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On Nov. 5, 2024, the Rochester Public Library District asked residents in Sangamon and Christian counties to approve a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochesterlibrary.org\/novemberelection\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">0.42% property tax rate increase<\/a>&nbsp;intended to raise about $8 million for construction and $261,000 annually for operations. The library said the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-par-for-the-course-former-cbo-director-says-white-house-attacks-on-report-are-classic-partisan-pushback\/\" title=\"EXCLUSIVE: \u2018Par For The Course\u2019: Former CBO Director Says White ... Attacks On Report Are Classic Partisan Pushback\">increased tax revenue<\/a> would cost the average homeowner an extra $37 per month.<\/p>\n<p>Library Director Janet McAllister defended the board, saying in a statement sent to The Center Square, &ldquo;The Rochester Public Library District&rsquo;s policies and ordinances comply with state law. It would be premature to comment further until the Board has had more time to consider the Commission&rsquo;s report.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Costin explained the Rochester Ethics Commission admitted wrongdoing but claimed ignorance, while a flawed ethics ordinance left the commission unable to act.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They pleaded ignorance, and their ordinance didn&rsquo;t even define prohibited political activity. Now, state law requires them to have an ordinance that is no less restrictive than state law,&rdquo; Costin said. &ldquo;That effectively gave them a loophole to break the law without consequences, and if that stands, it sets a dangerous precedent for every local government in Illinois.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But Costin says the damage is done and unless state leaders act, other local governments may follow Rochester&rsquo;s example.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is a systemic problem, and the attorney general hasn&rsquo;t prioritized cracking down on it,&rdquo; Costin said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve seen similar issues across the state, and that&rsquo;s just what we know about, there&rsquo;s probably much more. As the state&rsquo;s top legal authority, it&rsquo;s incumbent on Kwame Raoul and his staff to ensure the law is being followed.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3478067\/epstein-drama-puts-key-house-votes-on-ice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EPSTEIN DRAMA PUTS KEY HOUSE VOTES ON ICE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Costin pointed to a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/rochesterlibrary\/videos\/789915979345142\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">video<\/a>&nbsp;still available on the Rochester Public Library&rsquo;s official Facebook page as clear evidence of the misuse of public resources for political purposes.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;You can still find it on their Facebook page,&rdquo; Costin said. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a video of the Board President Sarah Deen urging people to vote &lsquo;yes,&rsquo; recruiting campaign volunteers, and even sharing her own and the executive director&rsquo;s email addresses to coordinate the effort. That&rsquo;s a direct violation of Illinois ethics law.&rdquo;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecentersquare.com%2Fillinois%2Farticle_8fb1a44e-094d-4328-a234-2f11b6604b6a.html%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_campaign%3Duser-share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2179466\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2179466\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Watchdog urges probe of Illinois library over tax hike campaign<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2465245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/AP070221068573.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[6413,43071,59660,6056],"class_list":["post-2465244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-illinois","tag-property-tax","tag-public-library","tag-watchdog"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/AP070221068573.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2465244"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2465248,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465244\/revisions\/2465248"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2465245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2465244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2465244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2465244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}