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The fact is, in areas of Illinois that exist under (the Property Tax Extension Limitation Act) tax caps, they do none of these things. Tax caps force local schools, parks, libraries and some cities and towns to pass a referendum to increase property taxes more than 5% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. Cities and towns which are home-rule communities are not bound by this legislation. Governmental bodies which serve children are the hardest hit. Schools, (already underfunded by the State) which are being ordered to upgrade curriculum, provide professional development for teachers, and increase technology for the purpose of school improvement, do not have sufficient funds to do so. Parks must charge increased fees for use, which may seem fair on the surface. People who use the parks most, will pay the most. But the questions which need to be asked are: "Who will pay for building and equipment (groundskeeping, playground, fences, etc.) maintenance?" "Who will pay for security, and supervisory salaries?" Libraries in tax-capped areas are decreasing the number of hours they are open (closing early, opening late, eliminating weekend hours and programs) decreasing staff (i.e. the children's librarian, the reference librarian) and decreasing purchases of new audio-visual and print materials. Building upkeep and maintenance are affected. Schools' over-reliance on property taxes as their primary source of funding is the cause of the problem. For people to get the property tax relief they deserve, the State should be the "primary source of funding for public schools" as directed by the Illinois Constitution. Schools currently receive less than 33% of their funding from the State, and the passage of the most recent "increase" for education did nothing to change that percentage. If schools were adequately funded by the State they could decrease their property tax levies. Then parks and libraries could still function at a high level of service to the community. Property-taxpayers could actually see a decrease in their property tax burden, instead of slow but steady increases under tax caps. Lies and half-truths are being told about what tax caps do. Property taxes will continue to increase, but not at a rate that will adequately support schools, parks, and libraries. The most important questions any voter should ask themselves is, "In what kind of a community do I want to live and raise my family?" "How important are this community's schools, parks, and libraries to the quality of our lives?" ".... to the value of my property?" Don't just rely on the word of politicians. Ask your locally-elected school board members, park board members, library board members, city council or those who already live in tax-capped communities. Sharon G. Voliva |
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