DeKALB | Judy Baar Topinka, Republican candidate for governor, has proposed a two-year tax freeze on the education portion of property taxes. The tax freeze is part of Topinka’s four-year budget recovery plan for Illinois.

Of the property taxes residents must pay, a majority goes to local schools. Generally, property taxes increase every year, which can be costly for residents.

“Under our plan, the state will make up the difference in whatever increases may occur in that two-year period,” said Topinka spokesperson John McGovern.

With the proposed freeze, property taxes will be locked into what residents currently pay and will not change over the next two years.

“Schools rely on that money,” McGovern said. “Instead of money coming from the taxpayer, our plan says the state will pay it.”

It would have to be passed into legislature, McGovern said, but if passed and successful, Topinka would like to extend it past two years.

While it may be a good idea in theory, the idea may be flawed, said Sheila Nix, spokesperson for Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich.

“All of the numbers in her plan don’t add up,” Nix said. “It relies on $3 billion in health care cuts and the passage of a Chicago casino.”

Topinka may have trouble getting support from members of Illinois’ Congress.

“It’s unlikely she could get legislative approval,” Nix said.

“Schools, police and fire protection need the money from property taxes,” said DeKalb tax assessor John Hietikko.

Of every property tax dollar paid in DeKalb, 62 cents goes to schools, Hietikko said.

Hietikko also said that because the state is in extreme debt, the plan doesn’t make much sense.

“If there’s funding coming from somewhere, I think that would be a wonderful thing.”

Caitlin Mullen is a City Reporter for the Northern Star.