Davis Works to Build a Stronger Middle Class, Highlights Work Done this Session in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As the spring legislative session concluded Friday, state Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, helped pass a balanced budget that prioritizes investment in education, health care and critical services, while highlighting his work to put Illinois back on track.

“Throughout this session, I’ve worked with my colleagues to build a stronger Illinois by building a stronger middle class with a fair tax system that puts the middle class first, lowering health care costs for families and creating a growing economy with high-wage jobs,” Davis said. “By moving beyond the tenure of failed former Governor Bruce Rauner, we are poised to make important investments in education and economic development while protecting the health care of Illinoisans.”

Davis sponsored the Fair Tax Amendment, a measure to make the wealthy pay their fair share while providing tax relief for 99.7 percent of households in his district. With the revenue from a Fair Tax, Illinois can invest in education to prepare children for careers and college while also providing much needed property tax relief for homeowners.

Davis also supported measures to expand career, technical, and vocational education to help prepare and train people for high-wage jobs. The Davis-backed Senate Bill 1591 invests in businesses that invest in Illinois by providing a tax credit for apprenticeships directed toward young people entering the workforce. Additionally, the Davis-backed House Bill 2868 will facilitate relationships between schools and businesses in order to expand work-based learning in Illinois.

To lower health care costs for middle class families, Davis backed reforms to bring transparency to prescription drug costs and prevent unfair health insurance rate increases. House Bill 156 would mandate that drug companies disclose information about their pricing in order to be held accountable for price increases. House Bill 471 would give the Illinois Department of Insurance the power to review health insurance rate increases and reject rate increases that are discriminatory, excessive or unfair.

“Illinois’ tax system is one of the most unfair in the country, but with a fair tax system that puts the middle class first, we have the chance to change that,” Davis said. “And by fighting to expand vocational and technical education and lowering health care costs, we can build a stronger middle class and a stronger Illinois.”

Davis also sponsored critical criminal justice reform and sustainable investment measures. The Davis-authored House Bill 2987 creates a task force to offer recommendations to ensure fair treatment of individuals with disabilities in the criminal justice system. The Davis-introduced House Bill 2460 directs public agencies to establish a sustainable investment policy integrating environmental and social impact, as well as innovation and human capital into their investment plans.

Davis represents the 30th House District, which contains all or part of the south suburban communities of Blue Island, Country Club Hills, Dixmoor, Dolton, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Markham, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Phoenix, Posen, Riverdale, Robbins and South Holland. Davis maintains a full-time district office to assist constituents with any concerns or questions about state-related issues located at 1912 W. 174th St. in East Hazel Crest, and his staff is available at 708-799-7300.