By: Diane Benjamin

Of course Beirne wants you to believe he isn’t raising your property taxes.

He posted this on his official Facebook page:

HAPPY BUDGET SEASON TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!

McLean County’s FY2027 Recommended Budget is a BALANCED $150.42 million plan focused on maintaining core services while controlling discretionary spending and making targeted long-term investments. The budget emphasizes fiscal discipline in the face of significantly rising personnel, health-care, technology, facilities, and infrastructure costs, while aligning spending with the County’s strategic plan.

– Total FY2027 Budget: $150,418,948

– FY2027 Estimated Property Tax Rate: $0.81761 per $100 of equalized assessed value down about 2.2% from $0.83627.

– 47% of the budget is personnel costs, including a 22% rise in health insurance costs

My takeaways: we are facing rising costs and increased needs with a revenue stream that does not match that rise. I have some questions about how the rise in personnel costs could affect services and look forward to diving into the details in October committee meetings. Overall I am pleased that the budget is balanced, services and staff are maintained, and tax rates continue to fall.

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Pause here for lies by the County. This is part of the presentation made at the County Board meeting on 9/17/26. It implies 2027 County property taxes will be going down. Got a brain?

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That $255,000 house won’t be $255,000 in 2027!

Depending on where you live in the County, your taxable value will be between 3.85% and 11.77% higher. https://blnnews.com/2026/09/25/slaughtered-taxpayers/

That wipes out a 2.2% decline in the “tax rate”.

Later the presentation uses the same $255,000 house again:

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The budget increased 4.1% but Beirne and crew want you to believe your property taxes will be going down.

Can anyone just tell the truth?

Yes Corey, you have a balanced budget because it was balanced on the backs of taxpayers.

Corey Beirne is “pleased”. Are you taxpayers? Beirne thinks he deserves to be reelected. 🤦‍♀️

Watch for the “tax rate will decrease” scam. All units of government are going to be using it.

WGLT fell for the same scam: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-09-17/proposed-mclean-county-budget-would-lower-tax-rate-for-3rd-straight-year

Don’t ever call me a journalist, obviously I don’t just print talking points.

One more cute lie from Beirne’s website: https://corey4mcboard.com/priorities#fiscal-responsibility

I am proud to have voted to lower property taxes with every budget, while simultaneously holding local officials accountable for wasting taxpayer funds. We must manage public funds with the utmost care and respect.

This is the PIN for the Beirne house: 15-31-156-004. Look it up yourself: https://mcleanil.devnetwedge.com/

Paid in 2024:

Paid in 2025:

Paid in 2026:

If Corey thinks this is lowering property taxes he shouldn’t be anywhere near children in Unit 5 schools!

If you want to see the County budget presentation, just hit PLAY: