CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Mitt Romney is not the only Republican releasing tax returns Friday. Hinsdale's Rep. Judy Biggert did, too.
She's regarded as the wealthiest member of Illinois's current congressional delegation.
While their estimated net worth of up to $5 million might be a rounding error in Mitt Romney's checking account, Rep. Judy Biggert and her husband Rody are very comfortable financially.
SEE: Romney releases tax docs, paid over $1.9M last year
The couple, in their mid-70s, reported an average income over the last five years of about $500,000 a year. She delivered Friday on a promise made during a campaign debate here at FOX Chicago Sunday in August.
SEE: FOX Chicago Sunday: Biggert, Foster debate to represent 11th Congressional District
"I would be willing to release my taxes," Biggert said. "Nobody's asked. So, why do it when we don't have to?"
The first-ever release of her personal income tax returns revealed that, in addition to her salary as a member of Congress and her husband's income as a lawyer, the couple is also selling assets.
A half-century after her father was president of Walgreens, Biggert is now - each year - selling shares of the company's stock that she acquired in the 1960s. She's netting a total of $408,541 since 2007.
In that time, their adjusted gross income peaked at $569,694 in 2007; (2008=491,791; 2009=540,942; 2010=438,935; 2011=416,856) dipping to a low last year of $416,856.
The Biggerts paid a far higher effective tax rate than Ann and Mitt Romney, however, between 27% and 30%. (2007=28%; 2008=29%; 2009=27%; 2010=30%; 2011=30%)
The Biggerts live in a 148-year old mansion built by the founder of Hinsdale and their property taxes have soared: from $37,418 in 2007 to $47,451 last year.
A spokesman for Biggert's Democratic challenger, Rep. Bill Foster, said he would release his returns by the end of next week.
During that same FOX Chicago Sunday debate, Foster promised to release his wife's returns, too. They file separately.
