Ultimately, the state’s spending and debt habits mean Pritzker’s plan will be a bridge to higher taxes for the middle class. Pritzker and state lawmakers should instead pursue sensible spending reforms that don’t require declaring open season on Illinois taxpayers.

While New York lawmakers have agreed to make the state’s 2% temporary limit on property tax levies permanent, Illinois should take reform farther by enacting a freeze on levies and giving local governments the ability to rein in their spending.

By reducing administrative bloat in Illinois school districts, the bill would enable property tax relief while ensuring education dollars reach students and classrooms first, rather than bureaucrats.

A bill in the Illinois House would empower voters to reform the funding priorities of their local school districts.