HANOVER PARK, Ill. – State Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, is inviting local families and seniors to receive help reducing their property tax bills at his upcoming Property Tax Appeal

Workshop with the Office of Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hanover Township Senior Center, located 240 S. Route 59 in Barlett.

“Rising property taxes are really hurting suburban communities like the ones I represent,” Crespo said. “Oftentimes, local families and seniors do not know that they may be able to appeal their property tax bill, which is why I’m working with our local assessors to help provide crucial information to our community.”

This event is free and open to the public. Experts will be on hand to help local residents understand the process of appealing the assessed value of their homes. Homeowners can learn about the basics of property assessments, how to appeal the assessment and what exemptions are available. Homeowners are encouraged to bring their most recent assessments and a valid state ID or driver’s license to receive help.

If you are unable to attend this event, Crespo will hosting a second seminar on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Park Place Recreation Center in Streamwood. For more information, please contact Rep. Crespo’s full-time constituent service office at 630-372-3340.

Who:   State Rep. Fred Crespo

Office of Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi

Hanover Township and other local leaders

What:  Property Tax Appeal Seminar

When:  Wednesday, Oct. 2

  6:30 p.m.

Where: Hanover Township Senior Center

              240 S. Route 59

              Bartlett

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – State Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, is hosting a meet and greet open to all constituents of the 45^th District. “Pastries with Pappas” will take place on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hanover Park District, located at 1919 Walnut Ave. in Hanover Park.

“I have made it a priority to host open forums for my constituents to discuss any legislative issues or concerns they have,” said Pappas. “Having a conversation in person is an effective way to turn the daily frustrations people face into creative legislative solutions, and I look forward to hearing any ideas may have.”

Pappas will be working in Springfield for the duration of May, and she wants to get feedback from residents about issues that may arise during this last month of session. In her first months in office, she has hosted several meetings with residents throughout the district. Pappas will continue to meet with district residents throughout the year, even after the General Assembly session is done.

“I urge all interested constituents and their families to join me to discuss their most important issues over coffee and pastries,” said Pappas. “The state faces many different challenges, and the best way to overcome those difficulties is to get feedback from all residents on what improvements they would like to see in the community and throughout the state.”

HANOVER PARK, Ill. –State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, partnered with local legislators and environmental advocacy groups to host a a town hall meeting last week to discuss clean energy and better environmental policy.

“Climate change is a serious threat, and while the Trump administration continues to overlook the severity of the issue, it is more important than ever to invest in renewable energy and create legislation that will protect our families and our planet,” Mussman said. “We must address climate change with policies that will ultimately put people to work transforming the state into a greener, healthier place to live.”

During the town hall, Mussman and other local elected officials discussed the effects of climate change and ways to prevent environmental catastrophes. Topics of discussion also included the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which would require Illinois to run entirely on renewable energy by 2050, and creating economic opportunities for sustainable business.

“We need to act quickly to prevent climate change from reaching a point of no return and causing unnecessary destruction of our environment,” Mussman said. “Investing in clean energy and implementing better environmental policies will not only help secure a habitable planet for future generations, but it will also create opportunities for economic growth in our community.”

For more information, please contact Mussman’s constituent service office at 847-923-9104 or StateRepMussman@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Cook County seniors would no longer have to reapply annually for much-needed property tax relief under legislation introduced by state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates.

“Local seniors shouldn’t have to go through burdensome bureaucracy to receive necessary relief on their property taxes,” Crespo said. “This is a commonsense reform that will make government more efficient and accessible while we work to provide greater relief to seniors and middle-class families across our state.”

Crespo’s House Bill 833 would ensure qualifying seniors continue receiving their Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption without having to reapply every year. Currently, Cook County is the only county where older homeowners are forced by state law to go through a burdensome process of reapplying annually for the cost-saving exemption, a process which adds to the burden of seniors and could result in homeowners missing out on savings. Crespo’s measure would do away with all the burdensome bureaucracy by eliminating the requirement that Cook County seniors reapply annually.

“I’m grateful to Representative Crespo for his continued advocacy on this issue. Our office is in collaboration with him on the technological implementation and safeguards necessary to prevent fraud while also making these annual exemptions more accessible for seniors. When implemented, this effort will help modernize operations in the Assessor’s Office and ease an unnecessary burden for seniors in Cook County,” Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor said.

Crespo represents the 44th District, which includes portions of Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Bartlett, and Elgin.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to school violence, state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, is working to require schools districts to establish a team and protocol as part of a violence-prevention strategy.

“Keeping schools safe and free of violence is critical to ensuring an open learning environment for students,” Crespo said. “This bill brings together parents, teachers, and school professionals to make sure school districts are using a consistent, defined evaluation process to assess threats and prevent school violence.”

Crespo has introduced House Bill 1561, which requires each school district to bring together stakeholders including parents, students, teachers, counselors, and emergency response professionals to create a threat assessment team and develop a threat assessment protocol as part of a violence prevention strategy. Once the protocol is adopted, school districts are required to make the assessment protocol public. School districts are also authorized to share information regarding threats with other school districts if a threat poses a clear and present danger as defined in state law.

“Representative Crespo understands that a safe school equals a safe community and vice versa,” Kathi Griffin, president of the Illinois Education Association said. “The IEA is looking forward to working with Representative Crespo on his continued efforts to help keep the children of Illinois safe from gun violence.”

Crespo represents the 44th District, which includes portions of Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Bartlett and Elgin.