SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A new law led by state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, will require the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to conduct a road safety assessment of the 10 most hazardous intersections under state jurisdiction in Will County south of Interstate 80.

“We’re moving forward to make these intersections safer for the drivers and families who travel through them every day,” DeLuca said. “This is a needed study that will help IDOT better understand what changes may be necessary for these local roads, adjustments that can save lives.” 

Signed into law Friday, Senate Bill 3275 will help inform IDOT on ways the agency can recommend safety improvements to the General Assembly. IDOT will consult with local agencies to target intersections for review, with assessments handled independently and comprehensively. Local roads will be the focus, with expressways excluded from the assessments.

Subsequently recommended design changes, traffic control adjustments and other possible fixes could reduce crashes and improve roadway safety for the region.

“This assessment will help us approach the issue effectively and efficiently,” DeLuca said. “I want to thank state Sen. Patrick Joyce and the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who supported this plan to help make our roads safer.” 

For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. – In the wake of the tragic mishandling of remains at a local crematory, a new law spearheaded by state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, will strengthen the comptroller’s investigative ability over crematories, while also clarifying standards for storage and cremation to restore dignity and confidence for families.

“Few things are as important as the dignified handling of the remains of our loved ones, and I want affected families to know that we are thinking of them,” DeLuca said. “They should have never had to go through that experience. I want to thank Comptroller Susana Mendoza and local advocates for their work to help secure these new safeguards, this is needed legislation that will better empower the state to stop bad actors.”

DeLuca’s House Bill 4695 updates state law regarding crematories by expanding the comptroller’s regulatory authority, increasing standards and codifying best practices. The measure better enables the comptroller to investigate crematories and take immediate action, granting new disciplinary options that include increased fines in addition to license suspension and revocation.

The proposal clarifies action that should be taken with remains when a crematory’s license is suspended, ensuring county coroners or medical examiners take prompt possession of remains. Crematories are clearly directed to take all reasonable steps to cremate remains within 30 days of receiving them, otherwise notice and explanation will be required for the comptroller and relevant coroner or medical examiner. 

DeLuca’s measure explicitly clarifies that cremated remains must be stored in a place free from exposure to the elements and be responsibly maintained.

Last year, a Chicago Heights crematory was permanently shut down after improper procedures were discovered. (https://illinoiscomptroller.gov/newsroom/press-releases/comptroller-mendoza-permanently-closes-heights-crematory-through-consent-order)

Gov. JB Pritzker signed DeLuca’s measure into law Friday after it received bipartisan support in the General Assembly.

For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With families increasingly concerned by rising costs, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, this session led a successful, bipartisan effort to protect local funding, while further pushing plans to address property taxes and save families money.

“It’s critical that our budget is a balanced document that respects taxpayers and focuses on the issues families are talking about at the table,” DeLuca said. “In the face of cuts to local government funding, we successfully fought to preserve Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) dollars that impact essential services and the day-to-day life of local residents. Local funding is how we maximize our resources, and I appreciate the direction taken in a challenging budget year.”

The responsible budget plan backed by DeLuca increases investment in education, prioritizes funding for first responders and strengthens support for healthcare. It also restores property tax relief grants for school districts, giving local governments greater flexibility to address property taxes.

Monday’s budget vote builds on DeLuca’s work to make life more affordable for families.

“Whether you’re at the grocery store or looking at your utility bill, here’s a lot of frustration about higher costs,” DeLuca said. “Rightfully, this reality guided a lot of our action in Springfield this spring. There’s still more work to do, but we’ve taken strong steps forward.”

Highlights of DeLuca’s affordability agenda include:

• Making groceries and everyday purchases more affordable by giving everyone access to digital coupons so that the price people see is the price they pay (House Bill 45),
• Developing new protections against artificial intelligence (AI) schemes that use personal data to raise prices (House Bill 4248), and
• Expanding utility relief, enabling more households to access home energy assistance (House Bill 4456).

DeLuca also continued his advocacy for local issues, leading passage of a plan to improve road safety in the region (Senate Bill 3275), as well as new standards and investigative tools related to crematories in response to a Chicago Heights business that grossly mishandled human remains (House Bill 4695).

“These are great wins for our area, but we still have work to do,” DeLuca said. “Summer is not a break. I’m focused on securing responsible regulations for solar, particularly with setback distances, and will continue to push for needed property tax reforms. Let’s work in a bipartisan way that puts aside politics and places residents first.”

For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to make driving safer in Will County, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, advanced a plan out of the House Thursday that would require the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to conduct a road safety assessment of the 10 most hazardous intersections under state jurisdiction in Will County south of Interstate 80.

“We should always be pushing for safer roads, and if we need to make some design adjustments at our intersections, this measure starts us on that path,” DeLuca said. “This is important legislation that can save lives, and I appreciate the work from IDOT and local residents to push for this needed study.”

Senate Bill 3275 will help inform IDOT on ways the agency can recommend safety improvements to the General Assembly. IDOT will consult with local agencies to target intersections for review, with assessments handled independently and comprehensively. Local roads will be the focus, with expressways excluded from the assessments.

Subsequently recommended design changes, traffic control adjustments and other possible fixes could reduce crashes and improve roadway safety for the region.

“It’s important that we start with these assessments so we can address intersection safety efficiently and effectively,” DeLuca said. “We’re listening to the concerns of local drivers, and I want to make sure our future investments in roadways provide a safer experience for families across our community.”

The DeLuca-led measure passed the House with bipartisan support, and will now head to the governor for final approval. For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, supported a bipartisan measure Wednesday to attract large-scale economic development projects with incentive agreements that will deliver needed property tax relief for homeowners statewide.

“Nine figure development projects can create jobs, revitalize communities and spur economic development for decades to come,” DeLuca said. “It’s important that we give local communities the tools necessary to attract this kind of investment, but this plan doesn’t stop there. We’re taking a strong step forward to secure needed property tax relief for families across Illinois.”

The DeLuca-backed House Bill 910 would enable communities to enter into payment in lieu of taxation (PILOT) agreements with large-scale economic development projects of $100 million or more. These negotiated agreements would provide greater certainty for project developers, further encouraging job creation and additional community investment.

Half of the developers’ negotiated payments would be directed to the Illinois Property Tax Relief Fund to provide direct relief for homeowners. Of these relief funds, 60% would be provided to homeowners in the community that houses the development, while the remaining 40% would be distributed to homeowners statewide.

Importantly, House Bill 910 specifically excludes data center projects from these incentive agreements.

The measure further includes tools for communities to access resources to develop new tourism and entertainment destinations, as well as support to redevelop former railyard sites.

“For Illinois to thrive, we need to continue to attract and develop significant projects,” DeLuca said. “Whether it’s commercial, industrial or entertainment focused, this proposal opens opportunity and better positions us to succeed.”

House Bill 910 received bipartisan support and will head to the Senate for consideration.

For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After property tax system delays from Cook County added unexpected and unnecessary costs on local taxing bodies, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, is leading a taxpayer-centered plan to require reimbursement from the county if the same situation develops again.

“On the local level, these technical issues are adding more pressure to raise taxes on homeowners who paid on time,” DeLuca said. “Such unreliability is exacerbating existing challenges, and is why we need to create an appropriate recourse for impacted governments.”

Under DeLuca’s House Bill 5241, if Cook County is delinquent in distributing collected property tax proceeds to taxing districts, Cook County would then be required to reimburse the taxing districts for the interest these impacted taxing districts would have earned from keeping this money in reserves, as well as the interest affected taxing districts paid on debts incurred because of Cook County’s delinquency.

DeLuca’s proposal comes after Cook County was unexpectedly months late in distributing property tax proceeds due to vendor technology issues, causing school districts and other taxing districts to borrow money to cover for the time period.

“We can’t have school districts taking out multi-million loans because a third party failed to get the job done correctly and on time,” DeLuca said. “I remain committed to working with members on both sides of the aisle to develop a more responsible property tax system that better serves our communities and taxpayers. House Bill 5241 should be a key part of these comprehensive reforms.”

For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To help make communities safer and give youth a chance at a better future, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, has advanced legislation that would encourage qualified minors involved in multiple firearm offenses to participate in restorative justice programs – such as social service programs, cognitive behavioral therapy and mentoring.

“This is a responsible, human-centered plan that can put juvenile offenders on a better path forward,” DeLuca said. “Specifically, this is for young individuals repeatedly caught up in less serious firearm offenses. Before they participate in more violence, let’s intervene with responsible assistance that can connect with them on a personal level and alter their trajectory. This is a measure that can make our communities safer, create better futures and, most importantly, save lives.”

DeLuca’s House Bill 4091 aims to offer greater rehabilitative services to juvenile offenders to reduce recidivism. It provides that courts may recommend a minor participate in a restorative justice program if:

• The minor has previously been placed on probation of an offense that involves the possession or discharge of a firearm not causing any injury, and
• Is convicted of a subsequent offense involving the possession or discharge of a firearm not causing any injury.
• DeLuca’s measure requires an individualized assessment of the minor’s needs and allows the court to make the final determination of what appropriate services the minor should be required to access, if any. The probation agency must identify the array of services available in the community where the minor resides, and share with the minor and their parent or legal guardian information about their options to access services.
• Possible restorative justice programs include, but are not limited to, social service programs for high-risk youth, cognitive behavioral therapy, family engagement and mentoring.

“This step forward has been years in the making,” DeLuca said. “I want to personally thank Bishop Ronnie White, who serves as chair of my public safety committee and is the Juvenile Officer for the City of Chicago Heights. Bishop White joined us in Springfield to testify, and his tireless work is a big reason why we’re moving in the right direction. I look forward to sharing this bill with the full House chamber.”

House Bill 4091 passed with bipartisan support and without opposition Thursday in the House Judiciary – Criminal Committee.

For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With taxpayers frustrated by numerous local government controversies involving the inappropriate use of taxpayer-funded credit cards, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, spoke at a House committee this week about his plan to implement stronger transparency requirements

“Too often we see headlines of local government officials overspending with their taxpayer-funded credit cards,” DeLuca said. “These are taxpayer dollars from hardworking people expected to help the community, not to be used for first class travel, five-star hotels and luxury dining. When the spending is exposed, the taxpayers are outraged, demanding reform and accountability. Especially while property taxes are continually on the rise.”

DeLuca spoke about his House Bill 4196 at a House Executive Committee subject matter hearing, outlining how it would require the governing authority of local governments to specifically vote and verify the validity of all purchases made using the government credit card in the preceding month. The statement could not be redacted in a manner inconsistent with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

House Bill 4196 would impact townships, park districts, municipalities, school districts and community colleges. It does not restrict or prohibit the use of a government-issued credit card.

“We continue to gain momentum with this effort, and I’m proud to have cosponsors from both sides of the aisle,” DeLuca said. “With property taxes and other costs rising, let’s make sure we’re doing everything we can to ensure our hardworking taxpayer dollars are being used prudently.”

For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. – Following the recent closure of a local crematory that grossly mishandled human remains, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, is leading legislation to strengthen the comptroller’s investigative ability over crematories, while also clarifying standards for storage and cremation to restore dignity and confidence for families.

“Few things are as sacred as respectfully handling the remains of our loved ones who have passed on,” DeLuca said. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with Comptroller Susana Mendoza on this important effort. Our proposal is going to hold bad actors accountable and strengthen necessary safeguards.”

DeLuca’s House Bill 4695 updates state law regarding crematories by expanding the comptroller’s regulatory authority, increasing standards and codifying best practices. The measure better enables the comptroller to investigate crematories and take immediate action, granting new disciplinary options that include increased fines in addition to license suspension and revocation.

The proposal clarifies action that should be taken with remains when a crematory’s license is suspended, ensuring county coroners or medical examiners take prompt possession of remains. Crematories are clearly directed to take all reasonable steps to cremate remains within 60 days of receiving them, otherwise notice and explanation will be required for the comptroller and relevant coroner or medical examiner. 

DeLuca’s measure explicitly clarifies that cremated remains must be stored in a place free from exposure to the elements and be responsibly maintained.

Last year, a Chicago Heights crematory was permanently shut down after improper procedures were discovered. (https://illinoiscomptroller.gov/newsroom/press-releases/comptroller-mendoza-permanently-closes-heights-crematory-through-consent-order)

“We must prevent what happened in Chicago Heights from ever happening again,” DeLuca said. “My thoughts are with the impacted families; I hope that we can avert similar tragedies with this legislation.”

House Bill 4695 recently passed a House committee with bipartisan support. It now heads to the House floor for consideration.

For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, issued the following statement Wednesday after the governor introduced his proposed budget to the General Assembly:

“As we begin the budget process, it’s clear that we need to prioritize a responsible and balanced plan that puts local families first, drives down costs and understands the day-to-day challenges facing communities. 

“I look forward to reviewing the governor’s proposal in detail. I’m particularly interested in seeing property tax relief, support for first responders, strengthened investment in our schools and opportunities for economic growth. I’ll also continue to push for funding for our units of local governments to better serve residents.

“Our budget needs to respect taxpayers and focus on what matters. I look forward to ensuring our community’s voice is heard at the table.”

For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.