State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, and Maria Peterson debate issues at a League of Women Voters forum in Barrington on Tuesday ahead of the Nov. 3 election. | Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun
By Steve Sadin | For the Lake County News-Sun
A mere 27 votes separated state Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, from his 2024 Democratic challenger and current reelection opponent, Maria Peterson of North Barrington.
While Peterson and McLaughlin agree that making changes in the tax laws is legislation they will attempt to tackle in the 105th Illinois General Assembly, their approach to easing taxpayers’ burdens is different.
McLaughlin said he lowered the real estate tax levy seven of the eight years he served as mayor of Barrington Hills. He sees providing municipalities the 10% of state income taxes they once received instead of the current 5% as giving the towns an alternative source of revenue.
“That money would come back to your community and your community could lower your property taxes,” he said.
State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, left, talks to a voter before a League of Women Voters forum in Barrington on Tuesday ahead of the Nov. 3 election. | Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun
McLaughlin and Peterson shared views on taxes, artificial intelligence, reduced federal funding, and more, campaigning for the Nov. 3 election before more than 150 people Tuesday at a Barrington forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
After the moderator asked the candidates what they would do to reduce property taxes for homeowners, she queried them several questions later about their top priorities should they be chosen to serve in the 105th General Assembly. Taxes were on both their lists.
Using tax credits as a form of relief, McLaughlin said he had ideas for both younger people and seniors. He would push for a tax credit for young families to “make life more affordable for young families so they can afford a home.”
“I will push for the senior tax credit to be increased to $75,000,” McLaughlin said. “If two seniors are in a home with Social Security, it’s too low. It should be higher, at least $95,000 so seniors can get a break on their property taxes.”
Read the full article here.
Related: “League of Women Voters 52nd District Candidate Forum recordings released”
Pretty sure it was 47, not 27, votes, but Maria’s never been great at math, otherwise she’d have had her sugar daddy JB harvest a few more votes for her last time around.
Correct. Also, Peterson was clearly unprepared for the debate.