IL HR0027

Opposes a proposed educational pension cost shift that would transfer $10.187 billion in estimated normal pension costs from the State of Illinois to local school districts, community colleges, and state universities over a 10-year period.

Notes that 67% of Illinois school districts are currently operating in the red, and warns that a cost shift would likely result in massive property tax increases or classroom cuts.

Identifies that shifting costs to universities would translate to approximately 2% tuition increases per percentage of payroll cost shifted, making higher education less affordable.

States that the cost shift would disproportionately harm downstate and suburban taxpayers while exacerbating inequities between Chicago and the rest of the state.

Declares the House's opposition to treating educational pension obligations as an unfunded mandate on local school districts and educational institutions.