Committee to hold hearings on proposed tax cap legislation

By Jeffrey Gaunt
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted May 4, 2005

A plan that seeks to protect taxpayers from the costly and often unanticipated impact of voter-approved tax increases Thursday will move one step closer to possible approval.

Suburban school and county officials expect to convene in Springfield to testify on the proposal, which would limit the amount of money taxing bodies collect — and voters pay — as a result of tax-rate hikes.

No action will be taken at the hearing, scheduled for 11 a.m., before members of the state House Revenue Committee.

If all goes well, however, the proposal could then move to the full House for possible approval, said state Rep. Mike Tryon, the Crystal Lake Republican who introduced the legislation.

“I’m optimistic we’re going to get a solution,” said Tryon, who has said this would be the first major change to the property tax cap since it was instituted in the early 1990s. “I think it’s important so we can re-establish the confidence in voters.”

A Daily Herald analysis of 25 suburban school districts published last month showed taxpayers have paid $204 million more than most were told to expect when voting on tax-rate increases.

A number of suburban officials are expected to testify at the hearing, including the McHenry County clerk and regional superintendent of schools, and the DuPage County clerk and tax extender.

The two clerks and the tax extender are all on record in support of a change in the law.

“I’m not sure what to expect,” said McHenry County Clerk Katherine Schultz, who helped Tryon pen the legislation. “I’m still hoping that our bill flies.”

Suburban accountant Tony Quagliano also is expected to testify at the hearing.

Quagliano sparked a public uproar in Huntley School District 158 after pointing out school officials had misled voters when explaining how much money they could actually receive from a tax increase.

The District 158 school board ultimately apologized to their voters, the superintendent and top financial officer resigned their posts, and Tryon began looking for a solution to the problem.

“We want to make sure we get it done right,” Tryon said of his solution, “and don’t create a loophole trying to close a loophole.”

The hearing also is expected to include discussion of a second proposal, introduced by state Sen. Don Harmon and approved by the Senate, that would change the way taxing bodies could ask voters for more money.

Tryon has said he believes, if properly worded, the two bills could work well in tandem — effectively eliminating the ability to collect more money than voters think they are approving when they head to the polls.

The purpose of the hearing then, is to ensure the proposals are worded in a way everyone is comfortable with, Tryon said.