August 12, 2005

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois House of Representatives 

94th General Assembly

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby veto

House Bill 3095, entitled “AN ACT concerning education.”   This legislation promotes an important purpose: providing a funding source for school districts in financial difficulty.  Yet, this legislation also poses a significant hurdle: increasing property taxes to pay for this purpose outside the limits of tax caps and the voter approval process required by them.   The challenge, which we have faced throughout state government, is to fund important services and programs without asking the people of Illinois to pay more in taxes.  I remain committed to this principle and cannot support legislation that asks for an increase in property taxes.

            For this reason, I hereby veto and return House Bill 3095.

Sincerely,

ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

Governor