Mason Applauds Approval of COVID-19 Assistance, Property Tax Relief and Balanced Budget

GURNEE, Ill. – Following the end of a spring legislative session that was abbreviated due to the coronavirus outbreak, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is sharing her support for the General Assembly’s passage of several COVID-19 relief measures, property tax relief and a balanced budget.

“In our state over the past several months, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of thousands and sickened many more. This horrible virus has also taken away tens of thousands of jobs and caused incredible harm to our economy,” Mason said. “While I looked forward to passing many of the measures I introduced earlier this session to help veterans, people with disabilities and victims of domestic violence, it was necessary to put those bills on hold to keep in-person deliberation of legislation to a minimum this year in order to protect the health of lawmakers, staff and our families.”

Mason worked to pass a budget that lives within our means while providing needed funding for families facing layoffs and furloughs, public health, COVID-19 testing, K-12 education, homelessness prevention and domestic violence shelters. Mason also voted to eliminate late payment fees on 2020 property tax payments, property tax sales and reapplication requirements for senior citizen property tax exemptions.

Additionally, Mason and colleagues worked across the aisle to expand resources for first responders, nurses and other essential workers who have contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty, bringing business groups and labor groups together to protect workers’ health and safety.

“Even with a shortened session, I’m glad we were still able to accomplish the work that needed to be done to protect and support our hard-working taxpayers and most vulnerable residents in the face of this crisis. I’m also very pleased we reached an agreement to expand access to vote-by-mail ballots and make polling places safer for seniors in case we see another spike in coronavirus infections this fall,” Mason said. “This pandemic has forced the legislature to make difficult decisions in the interest of public health and fiscal responsibility, but I’m proud we were able to fully address those items while still being able to deliver critically-needed financial assistance and COVID-19 aid to our residents.”