The Illinois Senate has rejected a two-year property tax freeze. The Democratic offer to meet Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's demand for tax relief for local homeowners is one of the measures that is part of the "grand bargain" budget compromise.
Disagreements between Democrats, who control the General Assembly, and Rauner have kept the state from having an annual spending plan for two years.
The vote was 32-11. But it required an extraordinary majority of 36 votes because it would overrule home-rule governance for larger cities.
Rauner has insisted on a permanent property tax freeze. Property taxes are the primary way public schools are funded.
Republicans suggested recently they'd be willing to accept a temporary freeze. But Rauner and GOP senators rejected a two-year freeze.
