Scherer Supports Measures to Meet Governor’s Demands

DECATUR, Ill. – Acting on the governor’s request for various non-budget items, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, supported a property tax freeze on all units of government Wednesday, in addition to measures on the issues of workers’ compensation and government consolidation.

“As I speak with area residents throughout my district, property tax relief is among the most frequently brought up issues,” said Scherer. “Families who are already struggling to make ends meet deserve relief from property taxes that continue to increase, even as home values decline.”

Senate Bill 484 represents a core component of Governor Rauner’s demands for a property tax freeze across Illinois. The bill contains a four-year property tax freeze on all units of government except the most financially distressed school districts. It also includes the previous property tax cuts for every homeowner introduced in House Bill 156, expanding the standard exemption provided to every homeowner while providing additional relief to seniors, veterans and disabled homeowners. However, Republican legislators acting on the orders of the governor blocked the compromise measure.

Scherer also voted for measures to address workers’ compensation reform and local government consolidation—which Governor Rauner has demanded as part of his non-budgetary agenda—with the hopes of bringing the governor back to the table to negotiate a real budget.

“To date, Governor Rauner has shown that he is flatly unwilling to make the slightest compromise. The legislation we voted on today meets the governor’s demands to compromise on his non-budget agenda, so it is time for him to focus on the budget,” said Scherer. “I implore him to come back to the negotiating table.”