Harvey Mayor Chris Clark Says No More Tax Hikes for Residents
Harvey Mayor Chris Clark Says No More Tax Hikes for Residents (Harvey, IL) — Mayor Christopher J. Clark of Harvey, Illinois, held a press conference on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at City Hall to announce his commitment to no tax hikes for Harvey residents. This decision came in response to the recently released tax bill on July 1, which has shown a significant increase compared to previous years. According to the Cook County Treasurer’s Office, the biggest increases in homeowners’ tax bills occurred in 15 south suburbs where taxes soared 30% or more. Notably, 13 of these 15 suburbs have predominantly Black populations.
In addition to his pledge for Harvey, Mayor Clark is calling on other taxing districts in the Southland to join him in providing tax relief for their residents by signing the “Hold the Tax Pledge.” He emphasized the need for collective action to ensure economic stability and ease the financial burden on the community.
“Harvey residents have faced enough financial challenges, and it’s imperative that we do everything in our power to prevent additional strain,” said Mayor Clark. “By committing to no tax hikes, we are taking a crucial step towards economic relief and stability for our residents. Furthermore, we can also reduce stress on residents by collecting the millions in overdue commercial property taxes the city is owed.”
Mayor Clark added, “Harvey is facing a $149 million deficit, and while we need every penny we can get, it’s unacceptable to place this back breaking burden on our residents. It’s especially egregious when 465 commercial properties haven’t paid their taxes in nearly 20 years. This moment demands a serious conversation about the systemic overtaxing of Black and Brown communities compared to their white counterparts. Our residents deserve fairness and justice, not additional financial strain.”
Harvey Mayor Chris Clark Says No More Tax Hikes for Residents
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