(The Center Square) – With most of the dust settling after last week’s election, a battle is brewing over what could be a constitutional amendment on the next statewide ballot in 2026.
Voters approved the nonbinding question of whether those who make more than $1 million should pay an additional 3% surcharge to fund property tax relief. The question was approved with 60% of the vote.
Former Gov. Pat Quinn supports the idea. Tuesday, he said it’s time to get the constitutional question ready for the next statewide ballot in 2026.
“Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and organize for property tax relief,” Quinn said during a news conference at the Illinois Capitol Tuesday at the start of veto session.
Senate Minority Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, said if such a question were to be binding, there’d be a different outcome.
“It’s great to get feedback from the public. That’s fantastic. But likely a different result when you put campaign and education behind it,” Curran said at a separate news conference.
Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce Chairman Cornel Darden Jr. said such an idea is harmful, anti-capitalist and would hurt those who are successful. He said there needs to be real reform to the state’s property tax system. He even suggested people stop paying property taxes.
“We need to send a shockwave and make sure that it lights a fire under the General Assembly to actually come up with a common sense solution,” Darden said at a separate news conference in Springfield. “And if you can’t come up with one, then just shut it down.”
To the idea the millionaires surcharge wouldn’t do anything to reform the state’s system, which is among the most expensive in the country, Quinn said that can come later.
“Other reforms I think are very important, but we’re not going to wait on them,” Quinn said.
Any such question for the ballot must be approved by a supermajority of the Illinois Legislature.
