94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
SB2099

 

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 to seek the advice of the voters. Sets forth questions concerning a temporary increase in the State income tax to help solve the current State budget and school-funding crises. Effective immediately.


SDS094 00123 MRM 30123 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2099 SDS094 00123 MRM 30123 b

1     AN ACT concerning a statewide advisory referendum on the
2 State 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 income tax: 3% on
11 individuals, estates, and trusts and 4.8% on corporations. But
12 there is a high burden on property owners because school
13 funding relies heavily on local property taxes. Article 10 of
14 the Illinois Constitution provides that the State shall fund
15 education by making public schools free through the secondary
16 level. The purpose of this Act is to seek the advice of the
17 voters as to whether a temporary increase in the State income
18 tax is warranted to help solve this school-funding crisis.
 
19     Section 10. State budget and school-funding crises
20 advisory questions. The following advisory questions shall be
21 submitted to the voters of the entire State at the 2006 general
22 primary election:
23         (1) Should the General Assembly temporarily increase
24     the Illinois income tax from January 1, 2007 through
25     December 31, 2008 to help solve the current State budget
26     crisis and avoid drastic cuts in State support for public
27     education?
28         (2) Should this temporary increase be limited to
29     increasing the rate of tax for individuals, trusts, and
30     estates by no more than one percentage point and the rate
31     for corporations by no more than one and six-tenths of a

 

 

SB2099 - 2 - SDS094 00123 MRM 30123 b

1     percentage point?
2     All of these 2 questions shall be placed on a single,
3 separate ballot. The votes on each question shall be recorded
4 as "Yes" or "No".
 
5     Section 15. Certification. The State Board of Elections
6 shall immediately certify the questions to be submitted to the
7 voters of the entire State under Section 10 to the respective
8 county clerks and to the board of election commissioners, if
9 any, in their respective counties.
 
10     Section 20. Conflicts. If any provision of this Act
11 conflicts with any other law, this Act controls.
 
12     Section 90. Repeal. This Act is repealed on December 31,
13 2008.
 
14     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
15 becoming law.