SPRINGFIELD - Local voters someday could decide if they want to pay more at the checkout counter to help their local schools.

In action Wednesday, the Illinois House voted 74-41 in favor of a plan that would enable counties, with voter approval, to add up to 1 percent to local sales taxes to generate cash for school construction projects.

"If people want to spend more money for their schools, they should be able to decide," said state Rep. Patrick Verschoore, D-Milan, who sponsored the proposal.

Verschoore said a 1 percent bump in Rock Island County could generate an estimated $13 million for schools there.

The measure, which affects all Illinois counties except Cook, now heads to the governor's desk for his signature.

"I really like the idea," said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, who is also a school superintendent in Crawford County. "If lawmakers in Springfield aren't going to do anything on a statewide basis, why not let the local residents decide?"

$1 billion raised in similar program

The proposal is patterned after a program in place in Iowa, where an estimated $1 billion has been generated in a select number of districts that have been given the option.

Under the legislation, the 1 percent sales tax for education is only optional. It must be approved by voters via referendum and could be less than the 1 percent level.

The legislation is under review, said a spokeswoman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The measure is Senate Bill 835.