SB0271 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
SB0271

Introduced 2/7/2007, by Sen. Louis S. Viverito

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the School Funding Crisis Referendum Act. Requires a statewide advisory referendum at the 2008 general election. Sets forth questions concerning (i) the use of State revenues from any expansion of gaming for the funding of special education, school construction, and school transportation, without decreasing other State funding for those education needs, and (ii) an accompanying reduction of real property taxes at a rate of 50 cents per dollar of revenue. Repeals the Act December 31, 2010. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning a statewide referendum on the school funding crisis.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the School Funding Crisis Referendum Act.

Section 5. Purpose. Illinois, as almost all other states, is currently experiencing a State budget crisis as well as a school funding crisis. A great burden falls on property owners because school funding relies heavily on local property taxes. Article X of the Illinois Constitution provides that the State shall fund education by making public schools free through the secondary level. The purpose of this Act is to place before the voters a statewide advisory referendum as to whether (i) State revenues resulting from any expansion of gaming should be directed to funding special education, school construction, and school transportation, without decreasing other State funding for those education needs, and (ii) each dollar of that funding increase received by a school district should be accompanied by a reduction in real property taxes equivalent to 50 cents for each property owner in that district.

Section 10. School funding crises questions. The following questions shall be submitted to the voters of the entire State at the 2008 general election:

(1) Should State revenues resulting from any expansion of gaming be directed to funding special education, school construction, and school transportation, without decreasing other State funding for those education needs?

(2) Should the use of State revenues from the expansion of gaming reduce real property taxes at the ratio of a 50-cent reduction for each dollar of revenue?

Both of these questions shall be placed on a single, separate ballot. The votes on each question shall be recorded as "Yes" or "No".

Section 15. Certification. The State Board of Elections shall immediately certify the questions to be submitted to the voters of the entire State under Section 10 to each election authority in Illinois.

Section 20. Conflicts. If any provision of this Act conflicts with any other law, this Act controls.

Section 90. Repeal. This Act is repealed on December 31, 2010.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.