Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn calls on lawmakers to put tax amendment on the 2026 ballot

SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) - Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) returned to the state capitol Tuesday to call on state lawmakers to listen to voters and put a constitutional amendment bringing property tax relief to homeowners on the 2026 ballot.

The call comes as about 60% of Illinois voters approved a non-binding referendum on this year's ballot. It asked voters whether they'd like to see the state raise taxes 3% on incomes over $1 million to pay for property tax relief.

"The voters, for the first time ever, had a chance to vote on a specific measure outlining how to pay for property tax relief, and I think this is a great opportunity now, in the next two years, for the people of Illinois to make sure that we have a constitutional amendment on the ballot," Quinn said.

The Illinois Constitution currently only allows for one tax rate, which is 4.95%. Changing it would require the voters approve a constitutional amendment.

Quinn estimates if the measure became law, it would generate around $4.5 billion annually for property tax relief.