The Moline School District has won the latest round in a dispute over property taxes with Elliott Aviation. Wednesday the Third District Appellate Court in Ottawa ruled a law exempting the company from paying property taxes is unconstitutional.
The law was passed in 2012 by the Illinois General Assembly to convince Elliott to expand its operations at the Quad City Airport, instead of several other states where it's tax exempt. But before it could take effect, the school district challenged the law, saying it would cost the district 150,000 dollars a year in lost tax revenue.
Justices concluded the law takes money away from the school district, and gives it to Elliott, but does not require the company to invest in its Moline location and create jobs.
And they sent the case back to circuit court where a judge initially ruled in favor of the company.
So far, the only comment from either side comes from Elliott - it says "We are disappointed in the recent decision made by the appellate court. We are going to continue to focus on running our business and we have no further comment at this time."
