Although the Kankakee County Board spent $18 million in federal ARPA funds, they still raised the general fund budget by $2,000,000 and increased property taxes again. What is really concerning is that the county put $1,000,000 in a money market account on Aug. 17, 2023, and $2,000,0000 in a 7-month CD on Sept. 16, 2024. Why raise property taxes when you have money to invest?

Families are struggling, especially with price gouging. It’s not inflation when corporations are making record profits. Unfortunately, many not for profits are struggling, too. On any given day, the lines to the food lines are long.

ARPA public committee hearings ended for a lack of board member attendance. An umbrella entity distributed to other non-profits with an administrative fee. The county often boasts the administration fee can be up to 60%. Most board votes are taken without discussion. It’s like a dictatorship, and members are punished when they speak up.

We deserve a County Board that seeks public input and has open committee meetings when decisions are made on spending our tax dollars. I ask for your vote so I can push for the transparency and fairness in Kankakee County government that we all deserve. I ask for your vote for Kankakee County Board District 2.

<strong>Marta Perales</strong>

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