Village board members passed a 5 percent increase in the village’s property tax levy to make increased payments to police and fire pension funds.

Since 1990, the owners of 671 Lincoln Avenue have paid more than $783,000 in property taxes when adjusting for inflation.

The politically motivated freeze would not address key cost drivers or protect Illinois homeowners from property tax increases.

Consolidating governments in the collar counties could help lower residents’ high property taxes.

High-priced government workers cost taxpayers in Illinois $10 billion a year, with municipal managers in areas surrounding Chicago reaping the most benefits.