State senators passed what, on the surface, looks like a win for Gov. Bruce Rauner: a property tax freeze.
Republicans criticized the two-year measure as too little. The sponsor, Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), said if it works, it can always be extended or renewed.
And one senator accused Republicans for misleading the public into thinking that state government really is connected to local property taxes, when it neither collects nor distributes them.
“I didn’t take one of those votes that created those. Those are all local taxes, and we know it,” said State Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake). “And if we really want to change the trajectory, you’ve got to get the cojones over there to stand up to Gov. Rauner.”
“A permanent income tax raising five-plus billion dollars a year, is damaging to families and businesses throughout this state,” said State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). “They didn’t create this problem, yet we are asking them to solve it. A property tax freeze that lasts a meager two years is not enough.”
A news release from the governor’s office, attributable to spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis, says, “The governor supports real and lasting property tax relief for taxpayers. This is a phony two-year freeze riddled with holes being offered in exchange for a very real and permanent, massive tax hike.”
SB 484 (schools) has passed the Senate, 37-11-9.
SB 482 (municipalities) has passed the Senate, 38-11-9.
Both bills exempt Chicago.
