A proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would force the state to pay for more than half of the cost of public schools was falling short late Tuesday in a close race.
With 72 percent of the votes counted, the so-called education amendment, which opponents had warned would force a large increase in the state income tax, was supported by 58 percent of voters, just shy of the 60 percent required for ratification.
In an apparent anti-tax mood, early returns showed that Lake County voters were rejecting most school referendums on the ballot. Only the bid to retire short-term debt in Round Lake appeared headed for passage, according to early returns.
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The proposed education amendment was receiving the support of 73 percent of voters in Chicago, where perennially cash-strapped schools stand to benefit most from an infusion of state funds. Also, nearly 60 percent of Downstate voters were supporting the measure.
But more than half of voters in Chicago`s suburbs, where schools are generally better off thanks to high local property taxes, were standing between the amendment and its ratification level.
In the collar counties, 56 percent of voters opposed the amendment. In Cook County suburbs, 52 percent of ballots were marked ”no.”
Another amendment adding a list of crime victims` rights to the state Constitution was sailing toward ratification, with 78 percent support. Despite its popularity, the amendment would do little more than laws already on the books guaranteeing victims` rights.
Also, an advisory referendum calling on the state to stop requiring local governments to adopt programs without providing any money to accomplish the tasks was attracting about 80 percent of the vote.
Despite vote totals showing the education amendment just shy of the ratification level, amendment supporters refused to concede defeat.
Similarly, amendment opponents stopped short of proclaiming victory.
”Man, it`s awfully close,” said Thom Serafin, spokesman for the opponents` coalition.
Besides the 60 percent ratification level, the proposed amendment also could be added to the Constitution if ”yes” votes amount to more than half of all people who took ballots Tuesday. But the amendment was garnering well less than half.
Opponents of the education amendment, including several large business groups, had warned that the General Assembly and Gov. Jim Edgar would have to raise the state income tax by as much as 55 percent to generate the $3 billion extra that the General Assembly`s research unit said the state would have to provide for public schools if the amendment passed.
But amendment supporters had pointed to the steady decline in state funding for education, from a high of 48 percent in 1975 to the current low of 33 percent.
The groups said an amendment requiring the state to bear the
”preponderant financial responsibility” for school funding was the only way to force a legislature and a governor fearful of voter backlash over tax increases to provide more money for schools.
But suburban schools apparently are learning they can`t rely on their own voters for extra funding, either, as early returns on three of five school funding questions in Lake County were failing.
In Libertyville, where high school District 128 was making its third try at passing a building bond, the $14.8 million initiative was faltering.
In Gavin District 37 in Ingleside, an $8.3 million building bond referendum was trailing in early returns.
A tax increase of 25 cents per $100 assessed valuation was failing in Round Lake Unit District 116, although a $4.5 million referendum to allow the system to retire a short-term debt was passing. Results on a $500,000 bond referendum in Highwood-Highland Park District 111 were not available at midnight Tuesday.
– Libertyville: With 11 of 35 precincts reporting at midnight, a $14.8 million building bond referendum was behind, with 57 percent of the tallied votes opposing the measure and 43 percent favoring it. On Tuesday night, school officials said if the measure failed, electives may be cut and portable classrooms may be used to house a growing number of students. The district also may consider adopting a 12-month school year.
The district was making its third try since 1991 at passing a bond referendum.
– Highwood-Highland Park: By midnight Tuesday, there were no returns in this election. Voters were being asked to approve a $500,000 bond issue that would allow the district to restore some education programs that were cut earlier this year. The district will go out of business on July 1, when it merges with two other Highland Park elementary school districts.
School officials were predicting a close vote.
– Round Lake: Financially troubled Unit School District 116 asked voters to approve two separate initiatives. The first request was for a $4.5 million bond issue that would allow the district to retire a short-term debt. With 14 of 15 precincts reporting, this initiative was passing 58 percent to 42 percent. But a second measure, which would increase the amount of money assessed for the building and maintenance fund by 25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, to 75 cents, was trailing. About 56 percent of voters were rejecting it and 44 percent approving it after 14 of 15 precincts reported.
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– Ingleside: An $8.3 million building bond referendum for Gavin School District 37 was trailing in early returns. With six of 11 precincts reporting, 56 percent opposed the measure and 44 percent favored it.
– Beach Park: With only one of nine precincts reporting, Beach Park residents were voting down a measure to dissolve their village government, with 77 percent opposed to dissolution and 23 percent in favor of it. Beach Park voters also were considering whether to endorse the village`s plan for bringing municipal water and sewer service to their homes. With one of nine precincts in, the measure was ahead 61 percent to 39 percent.
– Riverwoods: Voters were asked whether they wanted to create three sewer and water districts at the south end of the village and share the costs to install and run the systems. By press time Tuesday, no results had been reported.