Vella Delivers Big Wins for Property Tax Relief and Reform, Economic Growth, Voting Rights

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Illinois taxpayers foot the fallout of Washington’s agenda that’s raised everyday prices, hampered trade and commerce nationwide, and threatened the erasure of constitutional rights, state Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, is taking steps through a series of measures to secure direct property tax relief for Illinois working families, improve the state’s economy and enshrine fundamental rights in the State Constitution.

“This legislation has the potential to transform the economic situations of working families by delivering both relief and reform,” Vella said. “My goal is to make sure families receive tax fairness, and I want the results to be immediate, tangible, and beneficial for our local communities.”

House Bill 910, backed by Vella, delivers property tax relief to more communities by allowing local governments to negotiate Payments in Lieu of Taxation (PILOT) agreements for economic developments exceeding $100 million. In exchange for an agreed-upon assessment freeze, large developers would pay into the Illinois Property Tax Relief Fund, in which 60-percent of payments aid local homeowners, with the remaining 40-percent earmarked for homeowners statewide. Data centers are ineligible for these incentives.

Additionally, the measure creates tools for downstate communities to develop new tourism and entertainment revenue through to-be-established “New Opportunities for Vacation and Adventure” (NOVA) Districts—connecting Central Illinois and downstate communities to development and financial assistance for infrastructure designed to expand jobs and attract tourists.

Vella also backed House Bill 799 which fixes a broken element in the property tax system by aligning the state with the U.S. Supreme Court Tyler v. Hennepin County ruling, barring “home equity theft,” and ensuring no Illinois resident loses the equity in their home due to old taxes. This measure guarantees that any excess profits generated from a home sale for delinquent taxes—beyond the original tax debt—will rightfully be returned to the previous, indebted owner.

With potential threat from the U.S. Supreme Court’s right-wing majority to weaken essential elements of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, Vella worked to pass House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 28 (HJRCA 28), enshrining equal protections into the State Constitution. The measure seeks to counteract nationwide gerrymandering schemes limiting mBlack and Latino representation and ensures that Illinois voices are never silenced due to race—reinforcing Illinoisans’ equal protection to vote for the representative of their choice.

“At a time when constitutional rights are being threatened nationwide, we are taking action to guarantee equal voting protections in our State Constitution. We are guaranteeing that every Illinois voice is equal and will never be silenced,” Vella said.

All four measures will be heard in the Senate chamber for consideration.