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.
















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A BILL FOR









 











SC0021

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION


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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT


 

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

 




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    (ILCON Art. X, Sec. 1)



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SECTION 1. GOAL - FREE SCHOOLS

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

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

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    The State has the primary responsibility for financing the 
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system of
public education.

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

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    Beginning on January 1 of the year following adoption of 
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this
Constitutional Amendment by the People, a surtax on or 
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measured by
income at a rate of 3% shall be levied annually on 
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that portion of the
income of individuals that exceeds 
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$250,000. All receipts shall be
deposited into the Education 
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and Permanent Property Tax Relief Trust
Fund. The corporate 
 


 






SC0021
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rate limitation ratio set forth in subsection (a) of
Section 3 
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of Article IX shall remain in effect and be measured by the

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non-graduated rate authorized in Section 3 of Article IX.

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Interest earned
on the Education and Permanent Property Tax 
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Relief Trust Fund shall be
allocated to the Trust Fund.

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

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

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(Source: Illinois Constitution.)


 

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SCHEDULE


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

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Constitutional Amendment Act.