2004 Year in Review

Taxpayer Action Amendment

Morrison Schools would receive $277 per student if a state referendum is passed.

“Take from the rich and give to the poor” is the motto for Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn. In October of last year he announced his initiative “Taxpayer Action Amendment”. He has requested the Illinois counties to put an advisory referendum as part of the taxpayer relief. On December 16, 2003, Whiteside County board voted 14-13 to put the referendum on the March 16 ballot. The advisory referendum is expected to be supported across the state.

If the advisory referendum passes, it is up to the General Assembly, by 3/5 vote, to place an amendment to the Illinois constitution by May 2, 2004, for the November election ballot. Currently the Illinois tax rate is 3% for all taxpayers. The referendum creates an Education Trust Fund by raising the tax on individuals earning over $250,000 from 3% to 6%. Iowa taxes those individuals at a rate of 8.98% and 6.27% is the Midwest tax average. 1.4% of the 5.6 million Illinois taxpayers fit that description including about 90 individuals in Whiteside County. If 3/5 or 60% of the voting public support the Amendment in November the “Taxpayer Action Amendment” becomes part of our state constitution immediately.

1.15 billion per year revenue is expected to be created by the Amendment. 575 million or $277 per student would go directly to the schools on July 1 of each year. The remainder 50% would be used for homeowner property tax relief. Individuals would receive a check for $208 each July 1.

Quinn believes in “grass root Democracy” and has pledged to “advocate for everyday people”. According to his Web site he spearheaded the1983 drive to create Citizens Utility Board (CUB). He led the effort to enact the “Illinois Military Family Relief Act”, providing emergency assistance to Reservists and Illinois National Guard families on active duty. Quinn has also organized petitions for consumer protection laws and tax reform.

Whiteside County Clerk Dan Heusinkveld expects the advisory referendum will cost the County about $4000 to put on the ballot. Extra booths and special voting books are needed for those persons not voting the Democratic or Republican Primary ballots.

Mike Boland, State Representative, supports the proposal. “It's important for our schools and for property tax relief. Those making over $250,000 a year have gotten huge tax cuts from the Bush administration so they can afford a little more for our local schools.”

Dr. Jody Ware, superintendent of Morrison School District, explained, “I’m in favor of redoing the entire taxing system to help the schools and take the burden off the property owners. I support an equitable income tax system to pay for schools.” She questions whether taxing the rich is appropriate. “It could remove the wealthy from Illinois. We don’t want to loose more jobs or companies in Illinois.”

Other state income tax rates

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
January 7, 2004