Due to the budget crisis, some projects already under way have been halted. For example, the State has given a green light and a promise of matching State funds to the construction of new classrooms and a gymnasium at South Central Elementary School in Kinmundy, Illinois. However, the current budget crisis has led to a halt in State funding, even though building work is going on during the summer construction season. School districts affected by this halt in State payments for ongoing building work could face a severe cash crunch.

Representative John Cavaletto, who represents Kinmundy and is one of the lawmakers for school districts affected by this funds stoppage, istaking action to help his local school district. Cavaletto joined Rep. David Reis and his Republican colleagues in sponsoring HB 4232 this week, which makes reappropriations from the School Construction Fund and the Capital Development Fund for ongoing school construction and improvements for fiscal year 2016. Monies for capital projects, such as roads and school construction, are funded by levies on products and services such as motor fuel, alcoholic beverages, and video gaming. This money is legally separate from money in the cash-short State general funds, which are funded by income taxes, sales taxes, taxes on casino gambling, and other sources. The relatively healthy nature of the legally separate capital funds of the State make it financially possible for capital projects to move forward even in the absence of vitally required overall budget action.

Rep. Cavaletto will be holding office hours on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 to meet with constituents.

10:30 A.M. – 12:00 Noon

Historic Vandalia Statehouse

315 W. Gallatin Street

Vandalia, Illinois

 

1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.

Greenville City Hall

Council Chambers

404 S. First Street

Greenville, Illinois

Please contact the office by phone (618-548-9080) or email (www.johncavaletto.org) to schedule a specific time or feel free to show up when your schedule permits. Due to the uncertainty of the on-going, legislative session, if the House is in session on that date, legislative staff will be available to meet with constituents on behalf of the Representative

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Both the Illinois House and the Illinois Senate discussed and debated property tax issues during their sessions on Tuesday, June 9.  No resolution was reached in either house.  A report from the nationwide Urban Institute labeled Illinois as the state with the second-highest property taxes in the U.S.  

Heads of local governments and tax reform experts agree that a freeze on Illinois property tax bills, or on the local-government property tax extensions that are used to generate these bills, could have unintended consequences.  Many advocates are starting to call for real reforms in the way Illinois taxing bodies fulfill their duties.  Relief that could be offered includes reductions in the unfunded mandates imposed by Springfield on local governments and school districts.  Governor Rauner has renewed his call for the General Assembly to take a genuine look at these mandates and to sit down with him in real negotiations on one of the issues that faces the State and its taxpayers.  House Republican Leader Jim Durkin has filed HB 4224 to enact a property tax freeze and reduction in local government mandates.