Teachers unions tout support for a constitutional amendment that threatens to raise property taxes over $2,149. Illinoisans already pay the nation’s second-highest property taxes.
Teachers unions are pushing for a change to the Illinois Constitution that would significantly boost their bargaining power as well as Illinoisans’ property tax bills – by at least $2,149.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers and Illinois Education Association have mounted a social media campaign to proclaim their support for Amendment 1, the so-called “workers’ rights” amendment. Their union websites also tout support for the amendment, which would drive up costs as taxpayers are forced to fund expensive contracts and a new range of demands allowed under the amendment.
If voters agree Nov. 8, the constitutional change gives government union leaders more power than elected state lawmakers and voters. Before putting Amendment 1 on the ballot, lawmakers received 90 witness slips from unions, firms, committees and individuals showing support for it.
Among those filing support for the amendment were the Illinois Federation of Teachers and Chicago Teachers Union. They filed support for the amendment twice.
Teachers unions also backed Amendment 1 with cash. IFT and its political action committee, as well as CTU, have already donated to the committee pushing the amendment. They are among 20 unions who have together contributed nearly $5 million in support so far.
While proponents claim Amendment 1 is pro-worker, in reality it is anti-taxpayer. Illinoisans already pay the second-highest property taxes in the nation, but the amendment means the typical Illinois family will pay $2,149 more in higher property tax bills during the next four years.
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