[Comments are now open.]

* The Civic Federation writes about the governor’s AV of SB1. You should read the whole thing, but let’s focus on this topic…

Therefore, school districts that are subject to PTELL [property tax caps] and school districts that have TIF districts within their borders are more likely to lose out on additional funding the State may provide in FY2018 and future years. School districts not subject to PTELL and that do not have TIF within their borders are more likely to gain some of that additional funding.

* Just one of those two changes made by the governor would cost the Peoria Public Schools a million bucks…

Rauner has said cutting subsidies for tax-caps and TIF districts would end school districts’ tendency to under-report property wealth and, subsequently, their capacity to pay for an adequate education. But TIF districts have long been a bone of contention between municipalities and school districts, with school districts saying TIF districts deprive them of revenues generated by growing property values. Ending the subsidies would be a double-whammy.

PPS officials estimate the district could lose $1 million without a state subsidy for the effects of TIF districts. [Emphasis added.]

A million bucks, just from one change in one school district.

* Now, imagine the ruckus once these other school districts do their own calculations…

Wait. Hasn’t the governor said for weeks and weeks that his AV wouldn’t take any money from any district? Hmm. That’s odd.

* So, why did Gov. Rauner make these brand new changes?…

* I explain more in my weekly newspaper column which was written before those Peoria numbers were released. Click here.

Talk to you Monday.