SC0021 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 08370 RAS 38563 e

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
SC0021

Introduced 2/23/2005, by Sen. M. Maggie Crotty

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

ILCON Art. X, Sec. 1

Proposes to amend the Education Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that beginning on January 1 of the year following adoption of the constitutional amendment, a surtax on or measured by income at a rate of 3% shall be levied annually on that portion of the income of individuals that exceeds $250,000. Provides that all receipts shall be deposited into the Education and Permanent Property Tax Relief Trust Fund. Provides that on July 1 of each year, 50% of the public funds in the Trust Fund shall be distributed in equal amounts to every taxpayer who is an owner-occupier of residential real property in the State and the other 50% shall be distributed equally on a per student basis to improve education in public schools through the secondary level. Effective upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.

A BILL FOR

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 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:

(ILCON Art. X, Sec. 1)

SECTION 1. GOAL - FREE SCHOOLS

(a) 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.

(b) The People of the State of Illinois recognize that excessive reliance on real property taxation for financing the system of public education has impeded the fundamental goal of education. The official policy of the State shall be to reduce taxes on owner-occupied residential real property and to improve education by establishing the Education and Permanent Property Tax Relief Trust Fund in this Article.

Beginning on January 1 of the year following adoption of this Constitutional Amendment by the People, a surtax on or measured by income at a rate of 3% shall be levied annually on that portion of the income of individuals that exceeds $250,000. All receipts shall be deposited into the Education and Permanent Property Tax Relief Trust Fund. The corporate rate limitation ratio set forth in subsection (a) of Section 3 of Article IX shall remain in effect and be measured by the non-graduated rate authorized in Section 3 of Article IX. Interest earned on the Education and Permanent Property Tax Relief Trust Fund shall be allocated to the Trust Fund.

On July 1 of each year, 50% of the public funds in the Education and Permanent Property Tax Relief Trust Fund shall be distributed in equal amounts to every taxpayer who is an owner-occupier of residential real property in the State and the other 50% of the public funds in the Trust Fund shall be distributed equally on a per student basis to improve education in public schools through the secondary level.

The General Assembly shall provide by law for the implementation of the public policy set forth in this subsection (b). Every distribution from the Education and Permanent Property Tax Relief Trust Fund shall include the name of each elected officer of the Executive Branch and the following statement: "Adopted by constitutional amendment by the People of the State of Illinois.".

(Source: Illinois Constitution.)

SCHEDULE

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