- Published: Friday, April 26, 2013 03:18 PM
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D–Bunker Hill) passed a measure in the Senate Thursday that would award a tax-equivalent grant to the Springfield School District to make up for lost property tax dollars from state government-owned properties.
“Springfield is unique because of the large number of government-owned properties scattered throughout the city,” said Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat whose district includes much of Springfield School District 186. “This unique situation required a unique solution.”
Government-owned properties such as the Capitol, Supreme Court building and the State Library are exempt from property taxes, which impacts the general state aid formula used to determine how much money Springfield schools receive from the overall education funding pot. So the decreased property taxes means Springfield receives less money from the general state aid formula.
Read more: Manar passes measure to address education funding inequality