School funding shouldn't be tied to income tax, candidates say

Raising income taxes to help support schools statewide is an idea that fails to draw favor from either candidate running for the 45th House District seat.

Democratic challenger Jim Hagerty said he believes Illinois legislators should look elsewhere to raise revenue.

"We need to look at all avenues of funding, such as raising the tax on the gaming industry," the retired sheet metal worker from Roselle said.

"Keep in mind that I believe money is not always the answer for our public education system," the 64-year-old Democratic candidate said, adding that while "property taxes become a burden to some people, it keeps school funding local which is what many people want."

Hagerty's political experience is limited to working on the 2004 presidential campaign for John Kerry.

The incumbent in the seat, Franco Coladipietro, 40, said proposed legislation - which would put the burden of state funding of schools more on income rather than property taxes - is flawed.

"It doesn't provide meaningful property tax relief," the Bloomingdale Republican said. "It might provide some fleeting relief for a few years, but it will eventually just become a net tax increase over the long run."

Property taxes are a much more stable source of revenue because they don't fluctuate with economic downturns, he said.

Coladipietro, an attorney, first won election to the seat in 2006.