August 18, 2005

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate

94th General Assembly

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

Senate Bill 847, entitled “AN ACT concerning local government.”   Senate Bill 847 provides a mechanism for a municipality or township to disconnect with a public library district.  However, the ramifications of the disconnection will result in additional tax liability for the disconnecting municipality and the existing public library district.  After the disconnection, the revenue base of the existing public library district will be significantly reduced; expenses will not be similarly abated.  If the existing public library district is below its property tax rate cap then the district’s board could unilaterally raise taxes without an additional referendum. 

Senate Bill 847 also requires specific language to be used in the disconnection referendum.  Namely, the disconnection referendum simply asks if the voters wish to disconnect which implies a reduction in Government expenses.  The disconnection referendum fails to inform voters that, if the disconnection referendum passes, the municipality will be required to create a new public library district supported by a smaller tax base than supported the existing library district and also pay their portion of the bond payments due to the existing library district.  If the municipality is a home rule municipality then it could unilaterally establish a tax rate for the new public library district, again without another referendum.    

            For these reasons, I hereby veto and return Senate Bill 847.

Sincerely,

ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

Governor