Ben Franklin once said that death and taxes are inevitable. But Mr. Franklin did not say it’s inevitable that Illinois homeowners have to be taxed to death by our state’s runaway tax system.

That’s why Illinois taxpayers need “Proposition 2”, a constitutional amendment that would limit property taxes on residential property to no more than 2 percent of its market value.

The purpose of Propositon 2 is to lessen Illinois’ excessive reliance on the property tax to finance local government, especially educaton. Right now local property taxes account for 56 percent of the money spent on elementary and secondary education in Illinois. State government pays only 38 percent of the school finance burden, down from 48 percent in 1976.

As Commissioner of the Cook County Board of (tax) Appeals from 1982 to 1986, I heard more than 150,000 property tax appeals from families and businesses disgusted with Illinois’ complicated and unfair property tax system. Our state should not continue to over-rely on a regressive 19th century property tax system which has no relationship to the ability to pay.

Adoption of Proposition 2 would establish a reasonable limit on what Illinois government can expect from property taxpayers and grant relief to those who are already overtaxed.

According to statistics released by the Illinois Department of Revenue, Illinois citizens now pay more money in property taxes every year than any other levy except the federal income tax.

In just the past six years, property taxes have doubled on the average Illinois homeowner and if we don’t do anything to put a reasonable ceiling on property taxes, then they will double again in the next six years.

The pain fact is the property tax system with its bewildering array of terms, deadlines, and officials is designed to be intimidating to the average taxpayer. The idea is to get homeowners to dig deep in their pockets and pay up—without asking too many questions.

Proposition 2 offers homeowners a simple, straightforward way to end Illinois’ addiction to property taxes and reform a system that is presently out of control.

Adoption of Proposition 2 will force local governments to be more economical and competent in handling their budgets. Propositon 2 will also force state government to finally live up to its responsiblity to fund at least half the cost of education in Illinois.

A constitutional amendment to establish Proposition 2 is possible through a state constitutional convention. This Nov. 8 Illinois voters will vote on a referendum on whether to call a constitutional convention.

Patrick Quinn