Kifowit-Sponsored Bills Reducing Wasteful Spending Pass House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is fighting to cut the cost of government by passing measures banning taxpayer-funded pensions for part-time politicians, and empowering taxpayers to eliminate unnecessary and duplicative units of local government.

“Taxpayer-funded pensions were never meant to be given to part-time politicians and at a time when homeowners are struggling with rising property taxes,” Kifowit said. “This is no time for excessive perks for politicians who work only a few hours a month. This bipartisan measure will help ensure only those who earn pensions will receive it.”

Kifowit cosponsored legislation prohibiting part-time politicians from receiving pensions intended for full-time municipal workers. Recent investigations have found that many elected officials – some of whom only do a few hours of actual work every month – are in line to receive taxpayer-funded pensions for life. Kifowit’s House Bill 291 requires all future elected officials to work 1,000 hours per year in order to be eligible for pensions.

Kifowit also cosponsored House Bill 496, which gives voters the ability to dissolve a township that maintains the same boundaries as a city or town. Residents whose tax dollars fund both city and township government will be allowed to decide if township services should be continued, or if the township should be consolidated in order to reduce property taxes.

Both measures received bipartisan support in the House, and now await consideration in the Senate.

“Illinois has more local units of government than any other state in the country, which has increased costs for local homeowners,” Kifowit said. “Eliminating waste and inefficiency will help us lower property taxes for hardworking families in Illinois.”