SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— State Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, D-Chicago is working to advance legislation that increases transparency in the property tax assessment process by requiring counties to make assessment records electronically accessible to the public online.

“Taxpayers deserve to understand how their property values are determined,” said Tarver. “This bill ensures that assessment data is accessible, transparent, and available in a format that makes sense for the public.”

Tarver’s House Bill 1818 requires counties to maintain property tax assessment records in electronic format and make those records available online. Where records are not currently electronic, counties must convert them as soon as feasible. This bill also allows individuals requesting electronic records to receive them in the format specified, if feasible, while limiting fees to the actual cost of the recording medium.

In Cook County, the measure further clarifies that assessment records must include the factors used to determine fair cash value, such as capitalization rates, income data, expense ratios, vacancy rates, depreciation, and comparable sales adjustments, providing taxpayers clearer insight into how their property assessments are calculated.

This bill also updates procedures for tax objection hearings by allowing additional appropriate parties to be named in a complaint, ensuring all relevant stakeholders are properly represented in disputes.

“At the end of the day, this bill is about accountability,” said Tarver. “When people can see how decisions are made and have clearer access to the information behind them, it builds trust in the system.”

The bill is currently pending before committee.

CHICAGO – Continuing his efforts to ensure that housing remains accessible to the most vulnerable Illinoisans, state Rep Curtis J. Tarver II, D-Chicago, was recently named as House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch’s appointment to the state’s Rental Housing Support Program Funding Allocation Task Force.

“As we continue to emerge from the pandemic and endure rising inflation, we have to make sure that all of our communities’ housing programs are fully funded and capable of addressing people’s needs,” said Tarver. “With the surge in the cost of living, it is critical that we continue to develop and refine our state’s strategy to solving the housing crisis.”

Earlier this week, Tarver was named as Welch’s appointee to the taskforce, where he will serve alongside 14 other members, consisting of legislators, housing providers, tenants and other local, county and state level public policy makers and stakeholders. The taskforce will meet multiple times during the year and is responsible for determining state funding levels of local rental assistance programs throughout the state. While the taskforce endeavors to keep funding levels the same, they can be reduced or changed if a program fails to meet required standards or greater need is demonstrated elsewhere.

“I am committed to continuing to work with all stakeholders throughout the state to tackle Illinois’ rental housing challenges,” said Tarver. “When people and organizations representing different viewpoints come together to create policy, they are able to reach better outcomes for everyone. I am excited to get to work on behalf of the people and work with my taskforce colleagues to author good policy.”

To find rental housing resources near you, please visit the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s website at https://www.ihda.org/rental-housing-main/rental-housing/.

CHICAGO – The Illinois Legislative House Black Caucus issued this statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision blocking efforts to expand equity and opportunity in college admissions:

“Our radical Supreme Court’s tragic decision to sever equitable opportunities and curtail human rights for countless Black Americans will exact a devastating toll on our communities. Opportunities for higher education, which were growing thanks to effective affirmative admissions policies, will once again be denied to Black students who have often had to overcome major obstacles to achieve academic excellence.

“This move serves only to meet a partisan agenda while propping up a deeply-racist power structure that has haunted the Black community for generations. Affirmative action was undertaken to overcome the lingering effects of slavery and Jim Crow policies and provide the promise of opportunity to Black children suffering under those effects. Now that promise has been broken.

“The Illinois House Legislative Black Caucus is eager to work with Governor Pritzker to take immediate action to continue expanding access to college education for all, and to continue pursuing equity-based reforms. Recent steps to substantially expand MAP grants and other education programs that benefit the Black community are a good start.  All students deserve better than a Supreme Court that embraces fundamentalism over fairness and acts consistently to preserve a system of oppression. Illinois will take every step we can to combat the racial injustice the court favors.”

CHICAGO — State Rep. Curtis J. Tarver II, D-Chicago, is hosting a Father’s Day Party on Saturday, June 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Woodlawn Tap located at 1172 E. 55th Street in Chicago.

“Fathers, grandfathers, and father figures are some of the most important people in our lives, and their hard work, kindness, and sacrifice shouldn’t go unnoticed,” Tarver said. “I invite everyone in the community to join us at our Father’s Day Party so we can celebrate these tremendous individuals and show our gratitude for all they do.”

Fathers who live in the 25th District who bring the attached flyer complete with the information addressed will receive a complimentary drink. For more information on the event, please contact Tarver’s district office at (773) 363-8870.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — In response to the release of police body camera footage showing the killing of Tyre Nichols at the hands of five Memphis officers, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) released the following statement:

“The release of police body camera footage makes clear what we already knew: the murder of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols was brutal and unjustified. Our deepest condolences are with his family and all those who knew and loved him. The police officers who beat this young man to death have no place in law enforcement, and were rightly dismissed. Still, this is not enough. These officers callously and viciously killed another human being and Mr. Nichols’ family deserves justice.

“For the people who are angry, for the people who are sick of living in fear, we will always stand with you in the fight for justice. We are proud of the steps we’ve taken in Illinois, including passing major criminal justice reforms as part of our four-pillar agenda two years ago, but there is still much more work to do.”

CHICAGO, Ill – A bill co-sponsored by state Rep. Curtis Tarver II, D-Chicago, that will prevent state-funded standardized testing for students in pre-kindergarten through second grade was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“The development of young children is far from standardized and our method for measuring their growth should not be standardized either,” said Tarver. “Standardized testing for our youngest learners does not paint an accurate picture of their academic progress and puts unneeded stress on these students.”

Senate Bill 3986 establishes the Too Young to Test Act, which prohibits the Illinois State Board of Education from developing, purchasing or requiring a school district to administer, develop or purchase a standardized assessment for students in pre-kindergarten through second grade. The law carves out exceptions for tests used for diagnostic or screening purposes, such as to determine eligibility for special education, dyslexia services, early intervention or similar services.

“Standardized testing can cause inequity in our education system and is sometimes used to exclude marginalized or underserved students from various institutions,” Tarver said. “This new law protects our youngest students from the unnecessary stress and negative effects of standardized testing so that they can continue to grow and develop in a low-stress, welcoming learning environment.”

To learn more about the Too Young to Test Act, please visit www.ilga.gov.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Upon the historic confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus released the following statement:

“Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is one of the most impressive, qualified and fair-minded Supreme Court justices ever confirmed. Her dedication to economic justice, civil rights, reproductive health care access and other pressing issues exhibits her extensive expertise and commitment to justice under the law. As the first Black woman Supreme Court justice, Justice Jackson will defend the rights of all Americans, regardless of race or background, and work towards a more just system for generations to come.

We are excited to see how Justice Jackson uses her integrity, upstanding character and expert legal knowledge to positively impact our country and inspire the next generation of Black leaders. We stand with Justice Jackson in our dedication to public service and justice, and celebrate this monumental day in our history.

By nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden has delivered on his promise of nominating the nation’s first Black woman Supreme Court justice with an established record of judicial fairness and a commitment to equal justice for all.”