Make Good Choices

Don't be like Mike Frerichs, folks.

What Is More Ridiculous, Mike and Team?

Hat tip to 'happy hank' in the CapFax comments for this one.

Why Should Mike Frerichs *Have* To Pay His Property Taxes? It Is Ridiculous, They'll Have You Know

A nice little elite nugget that could only come from the campaign of a politician who thinks he doesn't have to act like everyone else and is above the law can be found in the CCB piece by Greg Hinz on Mike Frerichs finally agreeing to pay his own property taxes:

After Crain's broke the story about the tax debt last week,"we got together and said 'This is ridiculous,'" Mr. Koutsky said.

Paying your property taxes after seven+ years *is* ridiculous.  

We Captured The Reaction Of Mike Frerichs' Campaign Donors Upon Learning About His Tax Issue

Tom Crean is NOT happy about where his contributions are being spent, Mike.

Did Mike Frerichs Donors Know That Their Contributions Were Going For His Property Taxes?

We have to ask:  Would you give to a Illinois political campaign if you knew that your contribution would be spent on:

1.  voter outreach
2.  volunteer support
3.  paid media

Of course.  But...what about being spent on none of those? Rather.....to line the pocket of the candidate by paying the candidate's super late property taxes?

We're wondering what Mike Frerichs' donors think about how he's spending their money?

Frerichs Campaign Desperate To Change Topic, Asks If Anyone Wants To Talk About College? Please!?!

Sorry, folks.

It isn't that easy to gloss over the fact that your guy - Mike Frerichs - didn't pay his property taxes since 2008.  Good try changing the subject, though?

This was posted in the past hour by one of Mike Frerichs' closest surrogates, the Illinois College Democrats. Via Twitter:

Why talk about how you failed to pay your own property taxes when we can talk about college!  Amirite?!?

Paying Taxes for Elected Officials: Expected or Epiphany?

Greg Hinz - who broke the Mike Frerichs Tax Dodge story calls Mike Frerichs *actually* paying his property taxes - like EVERYONE else in the State of Illinois - an epiphany.

What do you think?

Should we expect our elected officials to act like the rest of us?  Or are they more elite than us and not held to normal taxpayer standards?

Via Twitter:

Greg Hinz @ Crain's Has The Exclusive: Looks Like Mike Frerichs Came Down From His Ivory Tower And Paid Taxes!?

Be still our heart.  

From Greg Hinz @ Crains:

The Democratic nominee for state treasurer has decided to pay his property taxes after all.

With political foes circling, state Sen. Michael Frerichs has reversed his prior decision not to pay just over $1,800 due for taxes on his legislative office in Champaign and has written a check from his campaign account covering levies due for six years, back to 2008.
After Crain's broke the story about the tax debt last week,"we got together and said 'This is ridiculous,'" Mr. Koutsky said. "We'll continue to appeal it, but in the mean time, let's just pay it."

...Asked why the payment came now — as opposed to any time back to 2008 — Mr. Koutsky said the Frerichs campaign "saw an oversight, and acted on it." 

...The Illinois Department of Revenue earlier had rejected Mr. Frerichs' request for an exemption, citing its ruling in a similar case several years ago involving state Rep. Monique Davis, D-Chicago. The department has encouraged Mr. Frerichs to appeal if he believes he has a case.

...Mr. Frerichs also had failed to pay the tax on his political office, which also is rented from the transit district, until questions were raised. His campaign said it believes that the bill for that tax inadvertently went to the legislative office, which didn't pay it because it was believed to be part of the larger tax dispute.

Emphasis, ours.

We Have Unconfirmed Reports That Mike Frerichs *May* Have Paid Some Of His Property Taxes

Just took seven years and a lot of media pressure to act?  We can't confirm that all of his taxes have been paid, but from the looks of this Champaign County site, Tax Hike Mike Frerichs - the Democrat Candidate for Illinois State Treasurer might have caved and paid his taxes like every voter has to do in Illinois.

See the circled portion that is marked paid?  The rest still have no dates by them.  We were sent this screenshot by a tipster and can't confirm when it was taken.

Did his campaign go on the cheap and *just* pay $84.62 instead of the full amount?

How nice of Mike to 'lower himself' from his Elite platform and pay property taxes like normal folks.  Must have been hard.

But...I guess when you wear a suit to a Habitat for Humanity build, you're not normal, right?

Illinois College Republicans Join The Mike Frerichs Property Tax Fail Fun

The Illinois College Republicans are up with a sharp piece on Buzzfeed titled: "The World Has Changed Since Mike Frerichs Has Paid His Property Tax" where they take down Democrat candidate for Illinois State Treasurer for his failure to pay property taxes since 2007.

 Go read the full thing.

Our reaction to these fine young adults in the Illinois College Republicans getting in on the action?

Bad News For Mike Frerichs: Illinois Revenue Department Ruled He "Must Pay Up"

From WICS:

A candidate for Illinois Treasurer is facing new questions this morning, now being asked why he hasn't paid back taxes plus the interest.

The Champaign County treasurer says State Senator Mike Frerichs, a Democrat from Champaign, owes $1,800 from bills that date back to 2008.

But Frerichs and Senate President, John Cullterton say Frerichs shouldn't have to pay because it was Frerichs office which was taxed. 

They argue the office is used for public purposes. 

The state revenue department ruled Frerichs must pay up.

Voters Are Weighing In On Politicians Who Skip Paying Their Property Taxes

The notion of a politician who raises taxes but fails to pay their property taxes isn't going to poll well, is it?  More bad news for Mike Frerichs and his candidacy for Illinois State Treasurer.

Voters don't like a tax cheat.

Breaking Report: Could A Hostage Situation Be To Blame in Mike Frerichs Failure to Pay His Taxes Situation?

Posted by:  Bobby Newport, Roving Truth Team Reporter
If it wasn’t bad enough that he hasn’t paid his Property Taxes since 2008, the Illinois Truth Team learned today, that Democratic Treasurer Candidate Mike Frerichs, may be holding these unpaid tax bills “hostage” at an undisclosed place in Illinois.  We're certain that the Mike's Tax Bill - who has a Twitter handle at https://twitter.com/MikesTaxBill will confirm if this is the case.

Since the Truth Team can verify that Frerich’s has over one million dollars in his Treasurer’s campaign account, the only logical explanation, is the unpaid tax amount ($1,800) is being held, against it’s will, in some Illinois location.   Why else would he refuse to pay his property tax bills for close to seven years.  Does he think he doesn't need to pay them?  Is he 'above' paying property taxes?  

Local voters are puzzled on why this money has not been forwarded to the its rightful owner, the Champaign County Collector. 

"So...if I get elected to State Senator in Champaign, does that mean I don't have to pay my property taxes like Mike Frerichs," said Paul Gordon, a local teacher in Urbana.

We have to believe that....No statewide political candidate who is proposing to create new taxes that would tax Illinois residents for everything from things like getting your hair done, to going to Yoga class, would willingly and freely refuse to pay their own property taxes. 

Thus...Ladies and Gentleman, this might just be a hostage situation.

As we are in Day 2414 of this hostage crisis, some voters are calling on prominent Illinois Democrats to intervene on behalf of “Tax Hike Mike’s” property tax payment. Speaker Michael Madigan - who knows a thing or two about skirting property tax laws - might be able to assist Mike Frerichs.  We know our first call when we have property tax issues is to the Speaker.  Maybe Mike Frerichs will heed this advice.

This story is developing. Stay tuned to Bobby Newport and the Illinois Truth Team for further details.

Priorities, People. Social Media 'Selfies' First. Paying Property Taxes Way Down the List.

Find out if Democrat candidate for Illinois State Treasurer took the time out of his busy schedule of posting 'selfies' on his Facebook wall to do what all of the rest of us have to do every year:  Pay his property taxes by visiting the news site: http://www.hasmikefrerichspaidhistaxesyet.com/.

He hasn't paid them since 2008.  Yeah!  2008.  And he's running to be the top fiscal officer in the State of Illinois.  Please.

Don't Worry About Mike Frerichs. He'll Cut A Nice Deal With You On Taxes, Illinois

Candidate for Treasurer Mike Frerichs has refused - since 2008 - to pay his property tax bills.  He's not like you and me.  He's an elite.  You know he went to Yale, right?  That *must* open up some sort of loophole in the Illinois Tax guide, right?  Come on!  He's 'friends' with President Obama!

Oh...you don't trust a guy who fails to pay his property taxes to be our next Illinois State Treasurer?  Us neither.

Mike Frerichs, The Illinois Political "Property Tax Dodger" Meme Round-Up

Here's a few memes that we've seen/been sent about Democrat candidate for Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs and his refusal to pay his own property taxes.

Have one that can top these?  Drop it here: tipthetruthteam@gmail.com.

Check Out This First Person Account of Mike Frerichs' Tax Bill on @MikesTaxBill

If you haven't already, go ahead and follow Mike Frerichs' tax bill who has set up a handle on Twitter.

You can find him at https://twitter.com/MikesTaxBill.  (at least we *think* it is a 'him'...)

Thus far, it has been an interesting first-person account of the neglect he's been subjected to by Mike Frerichs, the Democrat Candidate for Illinois State Treasurer and some play-by-play of the things he's overheard in the Frerichs HQ Office about their disdain for doing things the rest of us mere mortals have to do: like paying our property taxes.

Check it out and give it a follow: https://twitter.com/MikesTaxBill

Or tune into the site where you can find out if Mike Frerichs has paid his taxes yet.

New Tool: An Easy Way To Track if Mike Frerichs Has Paid His Property Taxes Yet?

Based on what we're seeing this morning online, voters across Illinois are asking the same question:  "Has Mike Frerichs paid his property taxes yet?"

Seems like a simple question that has a reasonable answer:  "Since he's running for Illinois State Treasurer, he better have paid them on time."

But...unfortunately, that's not the case.

In fact, he hasn't paid them since 2008.  He's been getting notices in the mail that he has flatly refused to comply.  He must think he's above the law.  Paying property taxes is for 'everybody else', but not Mike.  He's elite!  Gosh...he even took the time out of his day to wish President Barack Obama - his good buddy - a happy birthday last week!

But pay his property taxes on time?  No way.  In that same time, he's had plenty of time to RAISE your taxes, though.  Don't worry about that part.

So...we've made it easy for you.

Just check out our newly created tool:  http://www.hasmikefrerichspaidhistaxesyet.com/.  There, you'll get a quick answer to the question:  Has Mike Frerichs paid his property taxes yet?

Here's a peek at the site that includes a count-up timer.  As of this post, it has been 2414 days, 12 hours, and 18 minutes since he last paid.  We, normal folks (who vote, btw) only get a few months.

Treasurer's Candidate Mike Frerichs on Property Taxes: "I AM THE LAW"

Those of you know - like us - enjoy a good Sylvester Stallone/Rob Schneider vehicle - will know where this meme came from.  Thanks to one of our readers who is - apparently - a big Judge Dredd fan for sending it our way.  Seems very appropriate now that Mike Frerichs - Democrat candidate for Illinois Treasurer - apparently thinks he's 'above the law' by not having to pay his property tax bills.

Since 2008.

For you noobs who are puzzled by this whole post, we have just one thing to show you:

Our Guarantee to Democrat Mike Frerichs: You're Gonna Have A Bad Time

The first reader-submitted meme has rolled in on the Mike Frerichs failure to pay his property tax bills since 2008 news.  Can you beat this?  Drop us the link at tipthetruthteam@gmail.com with your best.