PRESS RELEASE from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE

CONTACT: Melanie Krakauer (312) 607-4977

Labor Day: 3 ways Amendment 1 would hike property taxes

CHICAGO (Sept. 1, 2022) – Labor Day is the traditional start of the campaign season, and this year there is a push to change the Illinois Constitution that promises to hike taxes and take more of every worker’s pay.

Amendment 1, at the top of the Nov. 8 ballot, is being sold as a “Workers’ Rights Amendment,” but Illinois Policy Institute research shows Amendment 1 would grant government union bosses the most extreme powers in the nation, including the ability to override state law. That would lead to ever-increasing property taxes in a state that is already No. 2 for the nation’s highest property taxes.

“There is no question Amendment 1 will lead to higher taxes; the question is how high they could go. The provisions would create a cycle of unlimited union demands, higher government costs and rising taxes. There is a reason no other state has a similar amendment,” said Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research at the Illinois Policy Institute. “Amendment 1 is voters’ chance to take a statewide stand against rising property taxes.”

3 ways Illinoisans can expect higher taxes from Amendment 1:

1. Amendment 1 would allow public sector unions to make demands outside the normal scope of bargaining. 
Amendment 1 expands collective bargaining agreements to encompass broad new subjects, including virtually anything related to “economic welfare,” such as affordable housing. It also provides a permanent right to strike, which may force public leaders to cave to demands. Illinois taxpayers will foot the bill. This type of bargaining may also take longer, which will also cost taxpayers more money.

2. Amendment 1 would prevent taxpayer-friendly reforms, while ensuring the crowd out of necessary services.
Government unions have consistently prevented legislation that could have provided tax relief and improved public services, such as pension reform, government consolidation and school district efficiency. Under Amendment 1, government unions would be more likely to prevent taxpayer reforms and tax relief. Without these reforms, Illinoisans will pay more property taxes and see more funds go to debt instead of services.

3. Amendment 1 would foster more corruption.
With greater union influence in state and local governments from Amendment 1, Illinois’ culture of corruption could flourish. Illinois is already the second-most corrupt state in the nation and Chicago is the most corrupt city. Ultimately, taxpayers pay the cost of rising corruption through both higher consumer prices and higher taxes thanks to the misuse and misallocation of resources.

To read more about Amendment 1 visit illin.is/studyguide.

For bookings or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.