Seen today near Sheridan and Wilson. We could not see any discernible signs of progress. We noticed that the local taggers have added their signature to one of the vacant areas on the left.Update: Apparently it is not legal for a tax-exempt organization such as "Jesus People USA" to display political posters like the ones that are clearly visible in the second floor windows. We encourage our readers to contact the local IRS office at 312-566-4912. There is also a number for the "Taxpayer Advocate Service" which is 312-566-3800 if the first number listed is not helpful. Be sure to let us know what you hear from them.
And of course, all the ancient Shiller campaign posters are still there.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it that JPUSA doesn't understand about tax-exempt organizations not being allowed to campaign, either for issues or for candidates?
I'd love to see their tax-exempt status stripped by the IRS. Seems they, like their heroine, have "selective hearing" when it comes to obeying the laws of the land.
Maybe someone should contact the IRS and let them in on this info.
ReplyDeleteHere's the number
312-566-4912
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. The prohibition applies to all campaigns including campaigns at the federal, state and local level. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154712,00.html
Ok Readers,
ReplyDeleteGet on the phone and give the IRS a ringy-dingy. Email them also. Feel free to link to this post as the campaign posters are clearly visible in the picture.
Best part was when they hung Shiller posters on the doors to the Friendly Towers which is a Polling Place.....
ReplyDeleteMaybe Jesus is protecting us from his followers.
ReplyDeleteYou say no progress, which implies that their plans called for real renovations. From everything I've ever seen from JPUSA, I wouldn't have made that assumption.
ReplyDeleteOnce Jesus People has a School, Helen and Holstein will probably attempt to funnel TIF funds to it. Query, whether that would be tax funding of a religious school, something that is not allowed for Catholic schools? But, of course, this is Uptown and the rules never seem to be applied in Shillertown.
ReplyDeleteThe Jesus People are carrying on a longstanding Shiller tradition. If you look way back in her D-2's you will see that she received direct contributions from the People's Church on Lawrence. And like the Jesus People, the People's Church then gets big city contracts to provide social services. Funny how that works.
ReplyDeleteAlso, realize that most jpusa members are healthy working individuals, yet none but a very few have health insurance, so most of their medical needs are addressed through public health resources. Great savings to them, at everyone else's expense.
ReplyDelete-A former member
JPUSA already have a school for their kids and always have. It is nothing new. we are upgrading the building for that. Because we stay within the codes.
ReplyDeleteI lived there 15 years left for 3 years and live there again the last 4 years.
I pay taxes just like everyone else.
all Jpusa's pay taxes. Stop making stuff up. Marty