In your editorial [Aug. 15] the Sun...

In your editorial [Aug. 15] the Sun-Times admits to many flaws inherent in the 7 percent assessment cap: It shifts the tax carrying capacity to apartments and businesses, lowers taxes for a while raising taxes for other homeowner punishes nation in slow-growth areas who in the greatest degree need tax relief, and helps the community in wealthy homes who least ne tax breaks. We simply can't understand for what reason you are able to have charge of so many fundamental flaws and advocate for continuation of this failed initiative.

This arbitrary and capricious program does not bring order and predictability to our complicated, hodgepodge goods tax system. It adds over and above another layer of confusion and unfairness to a classification that people cannot understand.

principally seniors who receive the senior turn to ice exemption probably would be surprised to learn that the 7 percent cap increases their tax bills on raising property tax rates, a change that is neither predictable nor addressed according to Assessor Houlihan.

And many in Chicago communities like Armour Square, Auburn Gresham, Bridgeport, Calumet Heights, Englewood Humboldt Park, Lake View, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Roger Park and Woodlawn might be surprised to learn that their communities were fundamental loser subordinate to the 7 percent cap based upon data included in the University of Illinois' comprehensive analysis of this law.

Houlihan's 7 percent cap does not shape tax confusion, it adds to it. It benefits wealthy homeowner while masking the tax increases passed in succession to seniors, poorer homeowners, apartment buildings and businesses. And it diverts attention and regard from the real problems plaguing our system: ever-increasing direction spending and a school funding scheme overly reliant on property taxes. It's time for our pickeded officials to stop hiding behind Band-Aid solutions and address real reform. The hereafter of our schools, our communities and our economy are at stake.

Jerry Roper president, Chicagoland Chamber of carnal

William Bornoff, president,

Chicago disentanglement Council

Ronald Vukas,

executive vice president,

Building proprietors and Managers Association of Chicago

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