ILLINOIS SCHOOLS

Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar took a political gamble recently in an attempt to raise school spending. Tax increases can be dynamite, even more so during an election year. Legislators -- even those in the governor's own party -- oppose Edgar's plan, and time is running out.

There are many unanswered questions about Edgar's proposal. But the fact the governor wants to bring the matter to the vote of the people is refreshing. A whopping $310 million-a-year tax increase for education in Missouri -- the state's largest tax increase ever -- was enacted without the people's voice. Senate Bill 380 is an expensive disaster, and Democrats in the Missouri Legislature and Gov. Mel Carnahan share the blame.

Illinois' share of the education costs has fallen to 32 percent this year from 47 percent in 1976-77. That has forced many schools to rely heavily on local property taxes, resulting in many inequities. Some districts spend almost $15,000 annually per pupil while 60 percent fall below what Edgar considers the "rock-bottom foundation amount needed to safeguard quality education," which is $4,225. Edgar wants the state to fund at least half of the foundation level, and to review that level every two years.

His proposal, in the form of a statewide referendum, would amend the Illinois Constitution. The proposal would raise $1.9 billion in school aid mainly through state income tax increases. In turn, the legislators would enact $1.5 billion in local property tax cuts. The net increase for schools would be $400 million.

It appears the governor's plan won't gain the legislative support needed to put it on the ballot. Instead, House Republicans are proposing their own plan, which would make sweeping spending cuts to free an additional $500 million for education next fiscal year without raising taxes.

House and Senate Republicans feel Edgar's overhaul and accompanying tax increase would sink their chances of maintaining control of the General Assembly. They may have a point. Republicans achieved majorities in both houses in 1994 for the first time in a quarter-century.

Several lawmakers have also complained that the ballot question is vague. Voters would provide overall direction, with lawmakers providing the details. Voters aren't big on the "trust-me" approach to politics anymore. A spokesman of the Department of Revenue estimates it would take a 3 to 4 percent increase in the income tax rate for individuals to raise $1.9 billion.

Is school reform the real issue, or does the state simply want more money for education? Will the formula end the inequities or will many schools be forced to keep the same funding despite the huge influx of dollars? Will Illinois taxpayers get more for their money in the schools? What are the guarantees? More money doesn't ensure better education. Taxpayers have seen that time and time again.

Illinoisans should tread carefully on school reform tied to a large tax increase.