Local backers of an amendment for the Illinois constitution made one last push to win votes Monday outside the Rock Island County Clerk's office.
Bonnie Lartz is a retired school teacher from the Moline School District. She says the money generated by a graduated income tax would provide crucial funding for schools.
"Right now, school districts are too reliant on property taxes for funding. This pushes property taxes higher, and it's a real problem. But the additional funding from fair tax reform, that pressure on property taxes can be relieved, which would in turn lower the burden on homeowners."
Rock Island 5th Ward Alderman Dylan Parker says under a graduated tax, anyone earning below $250,000 a year would have their taxes cut.
"The fair tax reform means a tax cut for nearly everyone here in the city of Rock Island. Statewide, 97% of Illinoisans would see a cut under the fair tax."
Currently, the Illinois constitution requires a flat tax, meaning everyone pays the same rate. It's now set at 4.9%.
