IL SR1598

Property taxes fund local government services including school districts (62 percent of property tax bills), police and fire protection, park districts, and local projects, with no funds going to state government.

A property tax freeze on total collections collected by taxing districts does not freeze individual homeowner property tax bills and leaves municipalities, school districts, and other local units without means to collect lost revenue.

Local governments facing increasing expenses during a property tax freeze would be forced to implement cost-cutting measures such as reducing teaching staff, police forces, and eliminating programs.

By July 1, 2019, each unit of government receiving property taxes must conduct a public forum with proper notice to discuss the specific effects of a permanent property tax freeze or freezes lasting one, two, or five years.

Each unit of government should provide projections of revenue and expenses with analysis of services and personnel that would be impacted by a property tax freeze to help the public understand its effects.