SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Supreme Court has invalidated a law that gave a property tax exemption to a Moline-based aviation company.
The 6-1 decision released Thursday declares the 2013 law is unconstitutional “special legislation.” The exemption allowed Elliott Aviation to expand at the Quad City International Airport without paying property taxes.
The Moline School District filed a lawsuit to prevent the loss of $150,000 in annual tax revenue.
Justice Lloyd Karmeier noted in the court’s opinion that the state constitution prohibits laws benefiting only one person or group. Elliott alone got the tax break.
Elliott issued a statement through its lawyer saying it will continue working in a “competitive environment” and will consider that and other factors in future expansion decisions.
