Bob Anderson

“I started my barbershop in 1962. I’ve been cutting some customers’ hair for over 50 years.

“When I started there were a lot of German immigrants who were buying small summer homes here. And this is where they retired. Now those same people come into the shop and all they talk about is their property-tax bill. They can’t afford it anymore. It’s all changed. There’s no way those types of people – hardworking, honest people – can afford to live here anymore.

“My bill last year was $10,000. When I was growing up here there was not a home that cost $10,000.

“I had a guy come in here yesterday who said he’s leaving the state because of property taxes. My first customer this morning said his son and daughter-in-law took their business to Indiana because of taxes. Another customer did the same to Tennessee.

“To me they’re making a wise decision. But it shouldn’t be this way. I’m determined to stay and fight …

“I’ve been working on township consolidation and school-district consolidation in McHenry County for more than 20 years. Illinois has more units of government than any state in the nation. And you better believe all my customers know it.”

Bob Anderson
Wonder Lake, Illinois