Property Tax
Released May 13, 2020
Illinois’ overreliance on property taxes is a result of historic shift of funding K-12 Education from the state-level to the local-level. While many would benefit from a temporary property tax freeze, there are also costs associated with a property tax freeze—particularly when it comes to funding an adequate education for millions of Illinois school children. A property tax freeze could pose substantial costs to students across the state by limiting the amount of funding districts could receive compared to the current law in which there is no property tax freeze. Using 2019 Illinois Report Card and average year-to-year growth in: (i) K-12 funding under the EBF; (ii) property tax revenue; and (iii) funding of mandated categoricals, the short report, Potential Impact of a Property Tax Freeze on School Funding, highlights some of those consequences that a property tax freeze could have, not only on school funding, but along racial lines, as well.
Released June 23, 2017
Governor Bruce Rauner has made a property tax freeze a centerpiece of his demands for a full state budget, and the Illinois Senate passed a bill (SB484) that would enact a two-year freeze in May.
Released May 14, 2015
This Issue Brief is an update to a 2007 Brief, and provides an overview of who pays property taxes in Illinois, the steps in the property tax cycle, and what property tax revenue is used for.
Released May 7, 2010
Fact Sheets and Report on House Bill 174 of the 96th General Assembly. This tax reform bill would have implemented a number of changes to Illinois' tax structure including tax increases of the personal and corporate income taxes. Thus, generating new revenue for the state.
Released April 26, 2007
Fact Sheets on HB/SB 750 of the 95th General Assembly.
Released August 1, 2006
This Brief provides information on how K-12 public education is funded in Illinois.
Released February 28, 2007
This Fact Sheet provides information on how Illinois could reform its fiscal system to provide equitable education funding.
Released August 19, 2008
This Report explains Illinois' basic school funding formula, and the consequences that formula has had for school districts across the state in areas of significant concern, including student achievement and teacher quality.
Released August 12, 2013
Ralph Martire's presentation on national education reform and the the federal Equity and Excellence Commission's report presented at the National Conference of State Legislators in Atlanta, GA.
Released May 26, 2006
CTBA's 2006 study comparing the value of the tax breaks received by Cook County non-profit hospitals to the charity care they provide in return. The study was updated in 2009.