Lawmakers react to Quinn's late property tax break push

SPRINGFIELD - Suburban lawmakers questioned the motivation behind Gov. Pat Quinn's last-ditch effort to revive a soon-to-expire property tax break for Cook County homeowners even as they embraced keeping the program in place.

"Is there some political motivation to it? Probably," said state Sen. Matt Murphy, a Palatine Republican. "Otherwise, I think we would have maybe seen it a little earlier."

Quinn called for extending a tax exemption worth up to $20,000 for homeowners. His Sunday announcement came as lawmakers prepared to head back to the Capitol to finish up their final week of session. Extending the exemption wasn't part of Quinn's budget plan and has no effect on the state's bottom line.

But with a $13 billion deficit likely to go unresolved, the state's budget picture getting worse seemingly by the day, and plenty of voter disdain for proposed tax increases, lawmakers and Quinn are eager to embrace popular programs as they prepare for campaign season.

A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan of Chicago said Madigan was "willing to work with the governor on that topic" and several local lawmakers considered the idea better late than never.

Quinn denied his last-minute push was a "campaign pop" intended to appeal to suburban voters possibly alienated by his push for an income tax increase. Rather, the governor insisted his proposal is aimed at fixing an out-of-date property tax system.

Quinn's proposal would extend a state law capping increases in Cook County property assessments at 7 percent for a maximum exemption of $20,000. The original law set the exemption at $33,000, but it has been phased out over the last three years and would reset to a general exemption of $6,000 unless lawmakers act.

Quinn's office deflected questions about why the governor didn't push for the proposal during his budget address, just saying the "critical legislation" was needed to help families who have been hurt by the recession.

State Rep. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat, said Quinn's announcement could have come sooner, but he's seen the benefit in the Northwest suburbs and would like to see it continue.

"His timing, what motivates him to do it now, I can only guess," he said. "I'm happy he came up with the idea now. I think my district will benefit from that."

State Rep. Suzie Bassi, a Palatine Republican, said the timing was "very political" considering similar proposals have been made in the past but weren't called for a vote in the House.

"If it pops out, we'll vote for it," Bassi said.

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat, agreed the measure was a good idea but cautioned businesses might have to bear more of the tax burden.

"There's always a balancing when it comes to property taxes. There are winners and losers," said Nekritz, adding that the issue - not the timing of the governor's announcement - was important.

Lawmakers have scheduled a May 7 adjournment for their spring session.