94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
SB2097


 
Introduced 2/25/2005, by Sen. Louis S. Viverito
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 		












New Act











    Creates the State Budget and School-Funding Crisis Referendum Act.
Authorizes a statewide referendum at the consolidated election in 2006.
Sets forth questions concerning a temporary increase in the State use and occupation taxes to
help solve the current State budget  and school-funding crises.  Effective immediately.
















SDS094 00125 MRM 30125 b

















 


 


A BILL FOR









 











SB2097

SDS094 00125 MRM 30125 b






1
    AN ACT concerning a statewide referendum on the State 
2
budget and school-funding  crisis. 

 
3
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
4
represented in the General Assembly: 


 
5
    Section 1. Short title.  This Act may be cited as the  State 
6
Budget and School-Funding Crisis
Referendum Act.


 
7
    Section 5. Purpose.  Illinois, as almost all other states, 
8
is currently
experiencing a
State budget crisis as well as a 
9
school-funding crisis. At the same time, however, Illinois

10
enjoys
relatively modest rates of State use and occupation 
11
taxes. But there is a high burden on property owners because  
12
school funding relies heavily on local property taxes.  Article 
13
10 of the Illinois Constitution provides that the State shall 
14
fund education by making public schools free through the 
15
secondary level. The purpose of this Act is to place before the

16
voters a Statewide referendum as to
whether a temporary 
17
increase in the State use and occupation taxes is warranted to 
18
help solve
this school-funding crisis.



 
19
    Section 10. State budget and school-funding crises 
20
questions.  The following questions shall be submitted to
the

21
voters of the entire State at the 2006 general primary 
22
election:


23
        (1) Should the General Assembly  temporarily increase

24
    the Illinois use and occupation taxes from January 1, 2007 
25
    through December 31, 2008 to help solve the current State 
26
    budget crisis and avoid
drastic cuts in State support for 
27
    public education?


28
        (2) Should this temporary increase
be limited to 
29
    increasing the rate of tax by no more than one percentage 
30
    point for each of the State use and occupation taxes?


31
    All of these 2 questions shall be placed on a single, 
 


 






SB2097
- 2 -
SDS094 00125 MRM 30125 b




1
separate ballot. The
votes on
each question shall be recorded 
2
as "Yes" or "No".



 
3
    Section 15. Certification.  The State Board of Elections 
4
shall immediately
certify
the questions to be submitted to the 
5
voters of the entire State under Section
10 to the respective 
6
county
clerks and to the board of election commissioners, if 
7
any, in
their respective counties.



 
8
    Section 20. Conflicts.  If any provision of this Act 
9
conflicts with any other
law,
this Act controls.



 
10
    Section 90. Repeal.  This Act is repealed on December 31, 
11
2008.



 
12
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
13
becoming law.