The governor pins the issue on local governments, but state law and decisions contribute to the problem.
By LyLena Estabine | Illinois Policy Institute
Gov. J.B. Pritzker isn’t as innocent as he wants us to think when it comes to Illinois’ property tax woes.
“I want to remind you that property taxes are not determined by the state of Illinois, but rather by local governments…including school boards, park boards, library boards, municipalities, etc.,” he said last month.
He put special emphasis on school boards.
Pritzker is right that local taxing bodies set levies, but suggesting those decisions have nothing to do with him is naive at best and dishonest at worst. State mandates, pension obligations and funding choices he oversees play a significant role.
Under the governor, property taxes have risen nearly 27% — from $31.8 billion in 2018 just before he took office to $40.37 billion in 2024.
State decisions shape some of the largest pressures behind those tax bills.
Illinois public schools are primarily funded by property taxes. But school districts are forced to rely so heavily on those taxes in part because the state diverts a growing share of its education spending to pensions instead of classrooms.
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