EDUCATION FINANCE

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the School District Property Tax Relief Fund. Requires appropriations from the Education Assistance Fund. Requires the Department of Revenue to certify property tax relief grants for school districts from the Fund. Sets forth procedures for these grants. Creates the Higher Education Operating Assistance Fund for the purpose of grants to colleges and universities. Requires annual appropriations to the Fund. Sets forth requirements for appropriating and using moneys from the Fund. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the rate of income tax for individuals, trusts, and estates from 3% to 5% and for corporations from 4.8% to 8%. Requires this additional revenue to be deposited into the Education Assistance Fund. Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit and the education expense credit. Limits the amount of the property tax credit to $30. Amends the Property Tax Code. Requires abatements of education extensions by the amount of the property tax relief grants received. Amends the School Code. Increases the foundation level of support and grant amount for supplemental general State aid. Changes the distribution of moneys from the Education Assistance Fund. Establishes the Education Assistance Fund Board to make biennial recommendations concerning appropriations from the Education Assistance Fund. Creates a continuing appropriation. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.