SB2823 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 20438 JWD 35780 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB2823

Introduced 2/13/2018, by Sen. Julie A. Morrison

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Property Tax Freeze Referendum Act. Directs the State Board of Elections to submit a statewide advisory public question to the voters at the general election on November 6, 2018. Provides that the question shall include a specified explanation of the uses of revenue from property taxation. Provides that the question shall have two parts: a part asking voters whether they support a property tax freeze, and a part asking voters to indicate the length of the property tax freeze they would prefer if they support a property tax freeze. Provides that if a provision of the Act conflicts with any other law, the Act controls. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2019. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning elections.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Property Tax Freeze Referendum Act.

Section 5. Referendum. The State Board of Elections shall cause a statewide advisory public question to be submitted to the voters at the general election to be held on November 6, 2018. The two questions and an explanation shall appear in the following form:

"Property taxes are a form of local taxation by taxing bodies such as school districts, municipalities, park districts, library boards, and other such local units of government, not the state. School districts are responsible for about 62% property tax bills in Illinois. Property taxes also fund police and fire protection services, as well as park district programs and local projects. The state, by law, may freeze property taxes. A freeze applies to the total property taxes collected by taxing districts, but it does not mean the property taxes paid by an individual homeowner will be frozen.

(a) Do you support a property tax freeze?

(b) If you voted "yes" on question (a), please select your preference for the length of the freeze:

(1) Two years.

(2) Five years.

(3) Permanent."

The votes on the first question shall be recorded as "Yes" or "No".

Section 10. Certification. The State Board of Elections shall immediately certify the question to be submitted to the voters of the entire State under Section 5 to each election authority in Illinois.

Each election authority shall share the results, by taxing district, with each local taxing district within its jurisdiction by December 31, 2018. The State Board of Elections shall report the results to the General Assembly by December 31, 2018.

Section 15. Conflicts. If any provision of this Act conflicts with any other law, this Act controls.

Section 90. Repeal. This Act is repealed on January 1, 2019.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.