So when Governor Bruce Rauner proposed the idea last month during his budget address, few school leaders were surprised. Dr. Vic Zimmerman, Superintendent of Monticello Schools, questions where the Governor thinks schools will get money from if they have to pay for teacher pensions and then may not get access to local tax dollars because of a property tax freeze.

 

 

This is a problem perpetuated by the state legislature, who many years ago, required districts to make their payments into the program but never matched those dollars.

 

 

Dr. Zimmerman says there is no doubt something needs to be done but school districts will be handcuffed if they cannot access dollars through local property taxes.