Property Tax Freeze, Chicago Pension Relief Advance
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A bill to freeze property taxes for two years and provide pension relief to Chicago Public Schools has advanced in the Illinois Legislature.
A Senate committee approved the legislation 9-5 Wednesday. Two lawmakers voted "present."
Democratic Senate President John Cullerton says the measure is his attempt to compromise with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who's pressed for freezing property taxes. The bill also would require the state to pick up part of CPS' annual pension payment and create a task force to overhaul Illinois' school funding formula.
But Republicans noted the measure omits key elements Rauner wants, including allowing local governments to opt out of collective bargaining with public-employee unions.
GOP Sen. Matt Murphy says the measure looks good but is "booby-trapped to the hilt."
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