House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 16

On March 2nd the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee approved House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 16 that could eliminate all property taxes generated to fund public education. If approved by the House and Senate this resolution would allow Illinois voters to change the State constitution to say that “the State is solely responsible for financing the system of public education and property taxes may not be used to finance the system of public education”. Voters would then have to approve such a constitutional change in a statewide referendum. This resolution passed out of committee on a vote of 13-7.

This measure is sponsored by Representative Lou Lang who views this as a maneuver top force action on school funding. Fortunately passage will require 3/5s vote for approval. A referendum by statewide voters would not happen until at least 2008. This type of funding measure was employed in Michigan several years ago with disastrous results for students, schools and communities. Most educational groups oppose this resolution!