In an effort to force movement toward property tax reform in Illinois, State Representative David S. Olsen (R-Downers Grove) joined House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) today in filing a bill that would repeal the existing property tax code on July 1, 2019.
“The need for property tax relief is the number one issue I hear from my constituents in the 81st District,” said Olsen. “The overtaxed people of Illinois are desperate for tax reform, yet their calls for relief are falling on deaf ears in Springfield. My hope is that by putting a sunset date on the existing property tax code, work will begin in earnest to reform our tax system, which is overly-reliant on property taxes.”
Durkin unveiled HB 5924 on Wednesday during a speech at the City Club of Chicago, and said his legislation creating a sunset date for the current property tax code should start the process of fixing the state’s broken property tax system. He pointed to the establishment of a deadline for school funding reform and budget negotiations as successful examples of how firm deadlines prompted legislative action.
“Oftentimes in Springfield, it takes a firm deadline to spark change,” said Olsen. “If the law that allows Illinois to collect property taxes expires on July 1, 2019, earnest discussions of how we can better-structure our system of taxation in a manner that is more fair and equitable would have to take center stage. I am pleased to be serving as the Chief Co-Sponsor of this bill.”
Olsen said he hopes bipartisan discussions will begin immediately.
