HC0016 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 03452 NHT 23456 e

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
HC0016

Introduced 2/13/2007, by Rep. Lou Lang

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

ILCON Art. X, Sec. 1

Proposes to amend Section 1 of Article X of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that, beginning on the January 1 next occurring 3 years after the Constitutional Amendment takes effect, the State is solely responsible for financing the system of public education and property tax revenue must not be used to finance the system of public education (with an exception). Provides that after the Constitutional Amendment takes effect, the General Assembly shall pass and the Governor shall approve a bill that implements a new funding plan for the system of public education, which plan shall take effect on the January 1 next occurring 3 years after the Constitutional Amendment takes effect. Provides that under the plan (i) no school district may ever receive less from the State in any given school year than the school district received from all local, State, and federal sources for the school year during which the Constitutional Amendment takes effect and (ii) on the January 1 next occurring 3 years after the Constitutional Amendment takes effect, the property tax rate for a school district shall be 0%, which rate may be increased to raise additional funds for the school district if the rate increase is approved by referendum. Effective upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.

A BILL FOR

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the State for adoption or rejection at the general election next occurring at least 6 months after the adoption of this resolution a proposition to amend Section 1 of Article X of the Illinois Constitution as follows:

ARTICLE X

EDUCATION

(ILCON Art. X, Sec. 1)

SECTION 1. GOAL - FREE SCHOOLS

A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities.

The State shall provide for an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services. Education in public schools through the secondary level shall be free. There may be such other free education as the General Assembly provides by law.

The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education, except that beginning on the January 1 next occurring 3 years after this Constitutional Amendment takes effect, the State is solely responsible for financing the system of public education and property tax revenue may not be used to finance the system of public education except as otherwise provided in this paragraph. After this Constitutional Amendment takes effect, the General Assembly shall pass and the Governor shall approve a bill that implements a new funding plan for the system of public education, which plan shall take effect on the January 1 next occurring 3 years after this Constitutional Amendment takes effect. Under the plan, no school district may ever receive less from the State in any given school year than the school district received from all local, State, and federal sources for the school year during which this Constitutional Amendment takes effect. Under the plan, on the January 1 next occurring 3 years after this Constitutional Amendment takes effect, the property tax rate for a school district shall be 0%, which rate may be increased to raise additional funds for the school district if the rate increase is approved by referendum.

(Source: Illinois Constitution.)

SCHEDULE

This Constitutional Amendment takes effect upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.