OSWEGO, IL – State Representative Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, applauds the Governor’s leadership on embracing the bold ideas for pension reform and a plan to pay down the state of Illinois over $140B pension debt.

“Thoughtout my tenure as Pension Chair and now Pension-Appropriations Chair, we have thoughtfully studied and evaluated the need for Tier 2 pension fixes and to address the unfunded liability of our pension systems,” stated Kifowit.  “I applaud the Governor for addressing this problem head on and I look forward to scheduling subject matter hearings in my committee so that we can find a solution that helps educators, public safety employees, and other public sector employees along with support of the units of government they work for”.

Kifowit has filed new legislation, HB 4673 to reform Illinois’ Tier 2 pension system, addressing long-standing inequities that threaten retirement security for members of the state pension systems and risk violating federal pension standards.  Since becoming the chair of a Pensions committee three years ago, she has been a tireless advocate for working families and a fair and equitable pension plan.

Illinois’ Tier 2 system applies to state and public safety employees hired on or after January 1, 2011, and currently is in violation of the Safe Harbor Provision of the Federal Government.  Employees do not pay into social security and rely solely on the state of Illinois pension plan. While workers pay into the system every paycheck, and the state has continued to short change it’s obligation leading to a significant pension liability. This creates uncertainty for employees and long-term risk for the state.

“I urge my colleagues to support fixing our pension system and I will be working with the Governor on his plan to support our public sector workers and start addressing the long-overdue pension liability,” continued Kifowit. “This pension crisis was started by bad policy in the early 90’s, which granted the state the authority to skip and underpay required pension payments.  I am committed to fixing Tier 2.”

For more information, please contact Representative Kifowit at (630) 585-1308 or email stephanie.kifowit@att.net. 

OSWEGO, Ill. – Buses and trains will be safer, more reliable, and more efficiently managed under a major transit reform package law passed by state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego.

“We’re creating a better public transit system that is financially accountable to taxpayers,” Kifowit said. “These are necessary reforms that will strengthen transit agency operations, improve paratransit for individuals with disabilities and is helping meet the demands of local commuters for years to come.  I’m looking forward to these needed changes.”

Across our state, public transit takes people to work, takes people home, and connects people, businesses, and communities more than 400 million times every year. But that system has faced major challenges; fragmented governance, uneven investment, and post-COVID ridership losses have left transit struggling with unreliable service, delayed trains, canceled routes, and a looming fiscal cliff that’s threatening to derail it all.

Kifowit worked to save and improve transit by passing Senate Bill 2111, a transformational package of reforms that brings Pace, CTA, and Metra together into one modern, efficient system. The new Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) is a major step toward a transit system that gets people where they need to go affordably, protects taxpayers, and offers a better experience for riders and workers.

Kifowit’s reforms mean: 

• More efficient administration: NITA will operate with new internal and independent auditors to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in transit. It will be required to maintain a reserve fund to prevent future bailouts.
• Reliable, modern service: NITA will bring uniformity to fares and schedules to better meet the needs of riders—whether on buses or trains, whether in the city or the suburbs.
• A safer experience for riders and workers: A multijurisdictional law enforcement team will step up enforcement right away. NITA will deploy ambassadors across the system to assist people experiencing mental health crises. And a permanent office of safety will lead long-term planning to keep riders and workers safe.

Senate Bill 2111 was signed into law Tuesday December 16.

For more information, please contact Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Working to uplift local families, this week state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D- Oswego, backed an energy plan to reduce home energy costs, expanded the senior property tax freeze, supported transit reform and recognized individuals impacted by scarring alopecia.

“We took needed action this veto session to address rising home energy prices,” Kifowit said. “This plan helps to modernize our grid to make it more efficient and effective, helping us to meet future demands while alleviating rising prices on consumers.”

Senate Bill 25, also known as the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, is expected to help lower home electric bills now and over the long term. The measure is projected to create thousands of new construction and operational jobs, and strengthen the state’s electric grid by investing in modern battery storage and strategies that promote energy efficiency.

Further building on her efforts to lower property taxes for homeowners, Kifowit also supported an expansion of the senior property tax freeze to address inflation and ensure more seniors qualify for relief. Under Senate Bill 642, the maximum income limitation would rise from $65,000 to $75,000 in tax year 2026, and continue to gradually increase to $79,000 in tax year 2028.

Transit was another focus for Kifowit. She supported a transformative public transit reform plan that will improve the rider experience, improve safety, cut bureaucratic waste and create a new overarching Northern Illinois Transit Agency (NITA). To curb future financial issues with transit agencies, the proposal requires new independent auditors and reserve funds.

Kifowit this week also led House passage of Senate Joint Resolution 36, which declares September 2025 as Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month in Illinois. The measure aims to increase awareness of scarring alopecia, supports affected individuals and encourages further research into effective treatments and a potential cure.

“Low public awareness about scarring alopecia can result in delayed diagnosis, limited access to care and less understanding about the experiences of those living with it,” Kifowit said. “In Illinois, we’re proud to support those impacted, and are hopeful we can find a cure.”

For more information, please contact Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A proposal spearheaded by state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, that would enable public officials who are active service members of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard to remotely participate in open meetings has passed the General Assembly and will be sent to the governor for final approval.

“When an official is called up for duty, they shouldn’t be penalized and left unable to participate at public meetings,” Kifowit said. “We have the technology to easily participate remotely, and we
 shouldn’t have barriers that would discourage community members, such as those in the National Guard, from being civically-engaged and pursuing a role with a public body.”

Under the existing Open Meetings Act, a public body must meet in person. If a quorum of the public body is physically present, the present members may allow another member to participate remotely. Under the current law, this remote member must not be available for one of four reasons – personal illness or disability, employment purposes or business of the public body, unexpected childcare obligations, or a family or other emergency.

The Kifowit-backed Senate Bill 243 would update the Open Meetings Act to allow an active service member, who is also a member of the public body, to participate in an open meeting remotely if a quorum of the public body is physically present.

Senate Bill 243 passed with bipartisan support, and will be sent to the governor for final approval. When signed, the measure will take effect Jan. 1.

For more information, please contact Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Looking to further lower property tax bills for homeowners with fixed incomes, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, has introduced a measure to effectively freeze the property tax liability for those who receive the state’s Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities.

“This legislation came from conversations with a local resident who correctly noted that many residents with disabilities are on a fixed income, which in turn makes it even more difficult to deal with higher bills,” Kifowit said. “Compared to existing exemptions for seniors in similar situations, it’s clear that we need to do more to provide greater savings for those who are disabled.”

Recently filed as House Bill 4134, Kifowit’s measure would change state law to allow the Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities exemption amount to be the greater of $2,000 or the total aggregate property tax liability from the year preceding the base year, if the applicant was the owner at the time. In effect, the exemption would keep the property tax liability at the value it was at during the year the exemption was first claimed, leading to lower bills in following years.

If implemented, the exact amount of savings would vary by homeowner and by location.

House Bill 4134 builds on Kifowit’s efforts to deliver comprehensive property tax relief for all homeowners. In addition to her legislation, Kifowit has continued to provide feedback to the House’s Property Tax Working Group.

“We have to continue to push for responsible property tax relief for everybody, and it’s important that the specific concerns of our community are clearly heard in Springfield,” Kifowit said. “Let’s continue to build consensus, secure reforms and deliver real savings for homeowners.”

For more information, please contact Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, is joining forces with state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, state Rep. Dan Swanson, R-Alpha, state Rep. Wayne Rosenthal, R-Morrisonville, and veteran groups from across the state to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in the Blue Room at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30.

Huynh, who is Illinois’ first Vietnamese American state representative and refugee of the Vietnam War, is the lead sponsor of House Resolution 249 and House Resolution 197. HR 249 recognizes the significance of the end of the Vietnam War by honoring the veterans who fought under the flags of the United States of America and the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). HR 197 officially declares the flag of the Republic of Vietnam as the flag of Illinois’ Vietnamese American community.

Huynh’s resolutions will be voted on during a hearing of the House’s International Relations, Tourism and Trade Committee on the same day that is scheduled to begin at 10:00AM in the Capitol’s Room 114.

Aurora, Ill. – State Representative Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, will welcome historian and author Professor Erik S. McDuffie as a special guest for her weekly series, “Coffee with Kiffy,” in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on Facebook. Those interested in attending the virtual event are encouraged to RSVP via the provided link.

“I am honored to host Professor McDuffie for this important conversation on Martin Luther King Jr. Day,” said Rep. Kifowit. “His research sheds light on the rich history of Black activism in our region and offers valuable insights into the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality. I look forward to sharing this dialogue with my constituents.”

Professor McDuffie, an Associate Professor in the Department of African American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will discuss his groundbreaking new book, The Second Battle for Africa, which explores the Midwest’s critical role in shaping 20th-century global Black history, internationalism, and radicalism. His work highlights the enduring impact of Marcus Garvey’s Black nationalist Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and the contributions of Black midwestern thinkers and activists in advancing the cause of Black freedom.

Professor McDuffie’s work is deeply personal, rooted in his family’s Midwestern and Caribbean heritage. His great-grandfather, a prominent Garveyite, introduced Marcus Garvey at a 1923 rally in Detroit. McDuffie’s research traces the influence of Garvey’s ideas from the 1920s to the present, examining how midwestern Black communities have been central to the Black freedom movement and the legacy of global African liberation.

Rep. Kifowit’s weekly “Coffee with Kiffy” events provide a unique opportunity for constituents to connect with their state representative, ask questions, receive updates from the Statehouse, and hear from distinguished guests. Past conversations are available as a podcast on all major streaming platforms.

For more information or to RSVP for the event, please visit https://www.facebook.com/share/15ZCsh8ecp/  The event will be streamed live on Facebook at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Chicago, Ill – On Friday, State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego), Chair of the House Personnel & Pensions Committee, discussed Illinois public pensions alongside esteemed experts in labor law and public policy. Kifowit was a featured panelist at the 40th Annual Illinois Public Sector Labor Law Conference, hosted by the Chicago-Kent College of Law. 

“It was an honor to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the challenges and opportunities surrounding public pensions in Illinois,” said Kifowit. “As we continue to address fiscal stability and fair retirement solutions, collaboration with legal, academic, and governmental leaders is essential for sustainable reform.”

Kifowit joined a distinguished panel that included Robert Bruno, Professor and Director of the UIUC Labor Education Program; Richard Huszagh, Illinois Assistant Attorney General; and John Shapiro of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLC. The panel explored the legal and economic complexities of Illinois public pensions, offering diverse perspectives to the audience. The annual conference, organized by the Martin H. Malin Institute for Law & the Workplace, brings together labor relations experts to discuss critical issues facing the public sector. 

Representative Kifowit also announced that she has scheduled a Personnel & Pensions Committee subject matter hearing on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 10 a.m. at C-600, 6th Floor and Virtual Room 1, Michael A. Bilandic Building, Chicago, IL. This marks the 16th subject matter hearing she has convened on the issue in two years. The committee will discuss components of HB5909, which is the proposal of the We Are One Coalition.

“I am committed to finding a solution that respects the hard work and dedication of Illinois workers while ensuring financial responsibility for the state,” said Kifowit. “These are complex issues, and while these proposals represent significant steps forward, it’s critical that we approach reform thoughtfully and collaboratively. We may only get one chance to do this right, and I am dedicated to achieving a solution that balances fairness and fiscal sustainability for generations to come.”

For more information on Representative Stephanie Kifowit’s legislative initiatives, please contact her office at (630) 407-4787 or stephanie.kifowit@att.net.

Aurora, Ill – Over 800 attendees flocked to the Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center on Saturday, September 14 for the annual Kids Expo and Touch-A-Truck event, hosted by State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego). The event, held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., was a resounding success, with families enjoying a perfect day of sunshine, fun activities, and interactive experiences.

Highlights of the day included over 100 Kids ID Cards issued, providing an essential safety measure for children. Attendees had the chance to explore a variety of vehicles, from big rigs and emergency vehicles to an electric Hummer and an ambulance helicopter. The helicopter, which landed around 10:30 a.m. and departed at noon, was a standout attraction, with kids eagerly lining up to take pictures inside.

“Each year, I look forward to seeing families come together at this event,” said Rep. Kifowit. “It’s a fun day for children and their families to engage with educational activities, meet professionals from different fields, and explore vehicles they often see from a distance. I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this event next year—it’s a great way to ensure children’s safety while creating lasting memories.”

The event also featured face painting, ice cream, and interactive exhibits from organizations such as Fox Valley United Way/Spark, the City of Aurora, VNA Healthcare, Waubonsee Community College, and the Illinois State Treasurer’s ICASH program. Fox Valley United Way/Spark collected diapers for their annual donation drive, while other booths provided engaging demonstrations and educational content.

“Seeing the joy and excitement on the children’s faces as they explore the various trucks and activities is truly heartwarming,” Rep. Kifowit remarked. “This event is not just about fun—it’s also about educating our kids on the different roles and technologies that shape our community. I’m grateful to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s Kids Expo such a memorable experience. It’s moments like these that remind us of the strength and spirit of our community.”

For more information, contact the office of State Representative Stephanie Kifowit at (630) 585-1308 or stephanie.kifowit@att.net.