Q the Eye/08.02.11

Dear LakeCountyEye,

August is here. Illinois families once again are preparing for the upcoming school year. School supplies must be purchased, along with apparel for students, many of whom have grown taller since spring. Any chance of a repeat of the statewide sales tax holiday?

Atlas Krugged

Dear Noisiest Herald,

Funny you ask. The same question was posed yesterday -- exactly word-for-word -- in a Northwest-Herald editorial:

Any chance of a repeat of the statewide sales tax holiday? Not this year. The governor has said nary a peep about it, because the Illinois General Assembly didn't reauthorize the tax holiday. Frankly, we don't recall the governor pushing very hard for a reauthorization, either. What's different in 2011?
Why no tax holiday?

For your LakeCountyEye's money, every day ought to be a tax holiday. What is government good for anyways, besides to hand out free stuff? Illinois could have rolling tax holidays. On Mondays there would be no tax on school supplies. Tuesdays could be a tax holiday at restaurants. Wednesdays, no taxes on cigarettes and beer. Thursdays would be for LCD Flat Screen TVs. The mind boggles.

But to answer the question -- Why no tax holiday? -- look no farther than this Northwest-Herald editorial:

As if the news weren't bad enough for Illinois ... Along comes a report that concludes the Land of Lincoln is more broke than any of the 49 other U.S. states. A statewide audit released last week shows that Illinois owes $37.9 billion more than it has in total assets, including taxpayer money, investments and property.
Illinois' fiscal news worsens

Why no tax holiday? Erm, perhaps because a statewide audit released last week shows that Illinois owes $37.9 billion more than it has in total assets?

Anyhow, if you'd like to see the details, the editorials are easy to find. Last Sunday, July 31, the Northwest-Herald wants everyone to throw the bums out because Illinois is broke ...

Illinois' fiscal news worsens

Three days later, August 2, the Northwest-Herald observes there will be no Illinois tax holiday this year ...

Why no tax holiday?

... so they want everyone to throw the bums out:

Operatives are reminded that the Northwest-Herald's circulation area is predominantly McHenry County.

If you are an elected official, or a previously elected official, or just a private citizen under indictment, send your political questions to Q the Eye c/o ... LakeCountyEye@gMail.com