CARPENTERSVILLE -- Talk about finding extra money for Illinois school districts is the most promising it's ever been, a leading advocate for school funding reform said Tuesday night at a meeting hosted by a school district committee.

"I think we're (hearing) more thoughtful discussion on what's the best way to do that," said Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax Accountability.

Martire was in town from Chicago to explain a piece of legislation he drafted, one of the two major school finance proposals before the Illinois General Assembly.

House Bill 750 would reduce property taxes and increase the personal income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent, as well as establish a tax on services such as haircuts and lawn mowing.

The plan would eliminate education's reliance on property taxes, which long has been blamed for the disparity among school districts in Illinois.

The state then would have the burden of covering 51 percent of school funding, rather than 30 percent.

The bill is up against Gov. Rod Blagojevich's gross receipts tax, which would increase taxes on businesses to generate $7.6 billion for education, health care and other programs.

"I think the gross receipts tax is what sparked interest in (House Bill) 750 again," Martire said.

He said schools likely would see more money coming in after the session adjourns this summer.

"I think you'll find some sort of hybrid or compromise," he predicted of the outcome in the battle over the two proposals.

The Community Unit School District 300 Community Finance Committee asked Martire to educate the committee on the details of House Bill 750 during Tuesday night's meeting at the district's administrative offices.

"All these are discussion items at surface level, but we need to understand them as it relates to our district's budget," Crates said. "It is time for all of us to get educated on all sides of all issues."

During the meeting, Crates said she would invite someone to speak on behalf of the governor's proposal at a date.

Although he couldn't be at Tuesday night's meeting, Superintendent Ken Arndt said he sees benefits in the various options.

"The proposals being discussed in the General Assembly right now would certainly help (District) 300 more ... than what we've seen in a long time," Arndt said Tuesday afternoon. "Whether it actually happens is another question."

The meeting didn't go unnoticed by those who oppose all the plans and would prefer to keep school funding at current levels.

Jack Roeser of the Family Taxpayers' Network sent a letter to the Kane County state's attorney and the school district, claiming it would be illegal to invite a political figure to speak on a political issue on school grounds.

"There's nobody on there making the case (that) they can spend a lot less," Roeser said. "The simple mantra is this: They don't have a revenue problem, they have a spending problem."