SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –  State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, worked to deliver immediate property tax relief for homeowners by supporting a plan to suspend late payment penalties and tax sales and to allow a one-year reapplication deferral on all senior, veteran and disabled homeowner exemptions.

“The current crisis has placed many homeowners in a difficult financial situation, forcing families to make tough decisions with their bills,” said Stuart. “It was important that we pass a plan to ease some of that burden, and immediately suspending late payment penalties on property taxes was one quick action we could take.”

Stuart helped pass Senate Bill 685, which allows for immediate property tax relief by permitting counties to adopt measures that suspend late payment penalties and tax sales. Recognizing the pandemic risks for older adults who are required to regularly apply for property tax exemptions, the bill creates a one-year application deferral for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities so that they do not have to go through a reapplication process.

“Make no mistake, more needs to be done to lower property taxes for all residents,” continued Stuart. “These were steps to provide immediate relief, but we need to continue to work to identify and implement long-term solutions.”

PEORIA, Ill. – In recognition of National Women’s Small Business Month this October, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth is highlighting reforms to reduce taxes on small businesses and attract new businesses to Illinois.

“I am committed to building a stronger Illinois by building a stronger middle class and that means supporting the small businesses that are drivers of our economy,” Gordon-Booth said. “During National Women’s Small Business Month, it is important to highlight the tax reforms and opportunities available to small businesses in Illinois.”

Women own 42% of all businesses according to Business.com, compared to less than 5% in 1972. During the last five years, the number of small businesses owned by all women grew 21% and that rate was nearly double for women of color.

As Deputy Majority Leader in the Illinois House, Gordon-Booth helped spearhead negotiations with Republicans for a bipartisan, balanced budget that instituted a number of reforms to reduce taxes for small businesses and make it easier for the state to attract new businesses. Gordon-Booth backed:

• Senate Bill 689 to eliminate the burdensome corporate franchise tax, helping 300,000 small businesses, and increase tax credits for small businesses that employ workers in areas of high unemployment or underemployment
• Senate Bill 690 to allow a tax credit for workers on small business data center projects and to allow sales tax credits for data center businesses that invest in Illinois
• Senate Bill 1591 to invest in small businesses that invest in local jobs by creating tax credits for small businesses to train and employ apprentices

“Small businesses are the heart of our economy in Illinois and women-owned small businesses are a growing and critical part of building a stronger middle class in our state,” Gordon-Booth said. “Reducing taxes on small businesses and making it easier for them to hire and train workers will assist the growth of all small businesses, but will be particularly helpful for small businesses owned by women and women of color that historically were excluded from accessing business development programs and resources.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of his efforts to provide real property tax relief to local homeowners, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, is highlighting a new law that will make it easier for senior citizens to access a valuable property tax relief program.

“Seniors in our community have worked really hard their entire lives to provide for their families and save for retirement,” Slaughter added. “Seniors are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods, and they shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their homes or buying groceries and medications. This bill will eliminate some of the red tape and bureaucracy in accessing senior property tax relief while reducing the paperwork older residents will have to complete every year. As property taxes continue to skyrocket, I’m committed to working to provide real property tax relief for working families and seniors on fixed incomes who can’t afford to continue to pay more.”

Currently, senior homeowners must apply annually to receive a Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, which lowers seniors’ property tax bills by reducing a home’s assessed value by $8,000 in Cook County. Slaughter’s House Bill 833, which is now law, eliminates the annual application process and creates a 5-year pilot program in which seniors would not need to reapply each year to qualify for the property tax relief.

“Forcing seniors to reapply every year for the property tax relief that they are entitled to create an undue burden for senior homeowners,” said Slaughter. “This new law will ensure that seniors aren’t missing out on property tax relief that allows them to keep more money in their wallets and helps them to stay in their homes as they age.”

ALTON, Ill. –  To help residents learn more about their property tax bills and potential ways to lower them, state Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, and state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, are teaming up with the Alton Township Assessor’s office to host property tax relief satellite office hours on Oct. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Senior Services Plus.

“During our last satellite office hours with the Alton Assessor’s office, nearly every person who attended was able to learn about additional exemptions for which they qualified or find a way to save more on their annual property taxes,” said Bristow. “Lowering the tax burden has been one of my main focuses in Springfield, to help local homeowners save more of their hard earned money by expanding and creating new exemptions and hosting seminars like these to help provide more education to homeowners on ways to save money and lower their bill.”

Residents are encouraged to bring their most recent property tax bill to Senior Services Plus located at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave. in Alton on Oct. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. A representative from the Alton Township Assessor’s office will be available to meet one-on-one with homeowners to review their bills to make sure they are receiving all the exemptions they qualify for. Residents can also learn more about interior reviews and other ways to lower their property taxes. While everyone is welcome to attend this free event, Alton Township residents will be able to receive more detailed information on what services are available to them.

“We know that property taxes are a main concern for area residents, and as members of the Property Tax Relief Task Force, we will continue to look for ways to fight overburdensome property taxes on hard working families,” said Crowe. “While Rep. Bristow and I continue to work on this issue in Springfield, I am glad we can offer some immediate help to residents through our property tax seminars and satellite office hours.”

RED BUD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is helping provide tax relief for job creators with his backing of a new law expanding a current tax credit to include manufacturing and production machinery and equipment.

“Hard-working business owners deserve relief from taxes and the constant government red tape placed on them and that remains one of my top priorities,” Reitz said. “We need to build a stronger Illinois, and we have to start by giving more support to our businesses and job creators. This tax relief will do that while also help lowering the cost of goods manufactured in Illinois.”

Reitz is backing Senate Bill 689, which expands the Manufacturer’s Purchase Credit, a tax credit to pay for production-related property and machinery that manufacturers need to run their businesses. This bill builds up numerous other tax credits and jobs programs to bring a thriving economy back to underserved areas of Illinois. The law passed with strong bipartisan support and is now law.

“When manufacturers can afford the tools they need to sell their goods at reasonable prices, the entire community benefits,” Reitz said. “This bill will help create sustainable jobs, make local goods more affordable and keep foreign corporations from hurting our businesses. Illinoisans deserve an economy that works for them, and I will continue to work to make sure they get it.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, will fight for reforms that put Illinois Valley homeowners first and ease the burden of property taxes as a member of a new Property Tax Relief Task Force.  

“I made a pledge to Illinois Valley families that I would fight every day for to put the needs of the middle class first, and that means fairer taxes for our families,” Yednock said. “This task force recognizes the need for immediate and long-term relief, and I look forward to putting all ideas on the table and coming to a bipartisan solution.”

Yednock voted to create the Property Tax Relief Task Force by passing Senate Bill 1932. The measure was signed into law Friday, and Yednock was chosen to serve on the bipartisan panel. Within 90 days, the task force will produce a report outlining structural and legislative reforms that will provide both immediate and long-term relief for homeowners. 

Yednock also supported Senate Bill 39, which establishes the Illinois Property Tax Relief Fund. The fund will provide homeowners with annual rebates to lower their property taxes.

“Property tax relief is an absolute necessity, as this will help keep people here in Illinois but build a stronger middle class.” said Yednock. “I look forward to working with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to solve one of Illinois’ most pressing issues.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, worked to enact a fair tax and provide relief for middle class families, demand equal pay for women, and ensure access to quality health care during the spring legislative session.

Kalish backed a Fair Tax system for Illinois, giving Illinois residents the opportunity to vote to provide relief for 97% of taxpayers. Under the state’s current flat tax, middle-class families bear too much of a burden. The Fair Tax Kalish passed ensures the state can balance budgets and hold the line on middle-class taxes by making the wealthiest pay a little more to fund critical services like schools, health care and senior services.

Additionally, Kalish backed a balanced budget that pays down over a billion dollars in old bills, invests $375 million in our local school, fully funds critical state services, meets our full pension obligation and hold the line on middle-class taxes.

“Our current structure helps the ultra-wealthy skirt paying their fair share, while putting the burden squarely on the backs of families in our community,” Kalish said. “A Fair Tax levels the playing field, fully funds our local schools and critical services, balances the budget, and pays down our state’s backlog of bills—while offering tax relief for those most in need.”

To fight against the prejudicial and unfair wages that women have faced in the past, Kalish sponsored and helped pass the Equal Pay Act, House Bill 834, which bars companies from requiring applicants to submit previous salary history and locking women into a lifetime of reduced pay by doubling-down on prejudicial and unfair wages in the past. Additionally, Kalish backed a measure that prohibits gender discrimination in the workplace, House Bill 252, and legislation that cracks down on sexual harassment in the workplace, Senate Bill 1588. Kalish was also the chief sponsor of a proposal, House Bill 92, which prohibits a police officer from arresting a victim of sexual assault who is seeking medical attention, and clarifies to victims of sexual assault that law enforcement prioritizes bringing sexual abusers to justice.

“As a father and husband, I fight each day to ensure that my daughter and wife have the same opportunities afforded to their male peers,” Kalish said. “Women who are doing the same work as men deserve to be paid at the same rate, and they should have the right to work in an environment free of harassment.”

While access to quality health care remains under attack by extreme Washington politicians, Kalish helped lead the fight to preserve access to affordable care for our families.  Kalish passed legislation, Senate Bill 2026, which protects health care for millions of Illinoisans with pre-existing conditions. To lower skyrocketing medical costs burdening working families, Kalish supported legislation, House Bill 471, to stop double-digit premiums and a measure, House Bill 156, to cut the cost of prescription drugs. 

 “As Washington politicians are fighting to take away our health care, it’s vital that we enact protections at the state level to preserve access to care for our families,” Kalish said. “No one should be denied care because they have a pre-existing condition or forego lifesaving medication because of skyrocketing costs. The well-being of our families should always come first.

“During my first session we passed real, progressive reforms that put Illinois on a better path. While these accomplishments are important, there is much more work to be done. I will continue my commitment to ensure that our families have access to quality healthcare, our children receive the educational opportunities they deserve, and to build an economy that puts middle-class families first.”

“The balanced budget I voted for this year includes our full pension payment, spending to pay down the backlog of bills and funding for our schools, healthcare and social services. This successful spending plan is a huge step towards repairing the long-lasting damage caused by the budget crisis and builds upon the progress made throughout this legislative session.

“As the chair of the House Mental Health Committee, I am so proud of the work that’s been done this year to raise awareness and provide access to treatment. I passed legislation that expands insurance coverage for care that integrates mental wellness with primary care to treat anxiety, depression and other common mental illnesses holistically. Students from kindergarten to college will have increased instruction and information about mental health, breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging young people to seek the help that they need.

“I passed legislation to provide protections for organ donors with unanimous support, because a person who chooses to give the gift of life to a loved one shouldn’t face retaliation from their employer or insurance company. Bills that I sponsored, including initiatives to reduce the devastating impacts of the opioid crisis and increase the use of water safety features, preventing children in Illinois from suffering the same fate as a baby in my district whose tragic death was a result of scalding bathwater, are headed to the governor’s office to be signed into law.

“This year, great strides were made to ensure women are treated equally at work and under the eyes of the law. As co-chair of the Illinois House Democratic Women’s Caucus, it’s been my priority to equip women in the workforce, from the Capitol to all corners of the state, with the tools, knowledge and rights they need to stop sexual harassment. I supported legislation requiring sex education classes to teach students about consent and to make certain that employers are paying women based on the quality of their work, not their gender. This week the General Assembly made history by voting to protect a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health choices regardless of decisions being made in Washington.

“There is much work left to be done to build a stronger Illinois economy where middle-class families can thrive. I supported a Fair Tax amendment that will benefit 99% of people in our community while holding the wealthiest accountable to paying their fair share, but we desperately need comprehensive property tax reform. Although we passed a measure to raise the minimum wage, Illinois has a serious shortage of people trained for high-paying jobs. I look forward to advocating for property tax relief, increased access to career training and educational opportunities and bringing down the cost of health care over the summer with input from my neighbors in the 46th District.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After the General Assembly adjourned over the weekend, state Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Chicago, discussed the progress made in the House this year and the work left to be done to build a stronger middle-class.

“For far too long, the Illinois legislature used a Band-Aid approach to fixing the holes in our state budget, which has left us with billions of dollars in state debt,” Burke said. “I’m proud to say that this year, we made real progress getting our state back on stable footing after years of crisis. When revenue from tax season in April was unexpectedly high, we used it to pay down a portion of our unfunded pension liability. Last week, we passed a balanced budget that provides critical funding for education and health care services without spending beyond our means.”

Burke voted for a Fair Tax Amendment that would hold the wealthiest in Illinois accountable to paying their fair share of income taxes while 98% of residents in Burke’s 36th District would pay the same rate or less. If approved by voters in 2020, this amendment would allow Illinois to bring in more revenue while providing relief to those who need it most.

“Bringing in more dollars will allow us to continue paying down our debt while funding the job training programs that will grow our economy,” Burke said. “Believe it or not, there is actually a surplus of high-paying jobs in the tech and vocational fields. We simply do not have enough workers with the necessary skills. I’m looking forward to expanding access to affordable educational opportunities that will equip more of our young people with the knowledge they need for a successful career.”

While much progress was made during the 2019 legislative session, Burke is focused on moving Illinois forward despite the federal government’s attempts to remove regulations meant to control the cost of health insurance while shifting the tax burden to those who can least afford it.

“When I talk to families in my district, their top concern is how difficult it is to keep up with the rising costs of living. Reforming our income tax structure will help, but overhauling our property tax system is necessary to provide the relief that middle-class families need to thrive,” said Burke. “Along with the rest of the House Democratic Caucus, it’s my priority to ensure access to affordable, quality healthcare, educational opportunities and to lower the tax burden on working people.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, used the spring legislative session to begin building an Illinois that works for everyone by ensuring working families earn a living wage, expanding access to state financial aid for minority and marginalized young people, and supporting the Fair Tax, which provides tax relief to 99.8% of families in her community and requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share.

“It is unacceptable that nearly 80 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, which is why we took action and provided working families a living wage,” Hernandez said. “This legislation will not only lift millions of families out of poverty but it will also make our state a more appealing place to live and work as the higher wages will create billions of dollars in new economic activity.”

Hernandez championed Senate Bill 1, which increased the minimum wage to a living wage of $15 per hour. According to the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, this plan will generate $19 billion in new economic activity every year, while also lifting hundreds of thousands of families out of poverty and helping parents provide new opportunities for their children. The Hernandez-backed plan also provides small and medium-sized businesses with a tax credit, helping 80 percent of businesses cover a significant amount of these new wages.

Additionally, Hernandez led the charge on the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act, House Bill 2691, to ensure financial aid equity for minority and marginalized young people. The legislation expands access to state aid by increasing the credit hour limit in place that disproportionately locks out African-American and other people of color from state aid. Hernandez’s RISE Act also allows Illinois students who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, to receive state financial aid. The measure also ensures transgender students who do not register for required military service are still able to receive financial aid.

“Higher education is key to move up the socioeconomic ladder and it’s unacceptable that our minority and LGBTQ youth are being disproportionately locked out of state financial aid,” Hernandez said. “This legislation is about equity for all students, ensuring that regardless of your race, immigration status or gender identity, you are valued and supported by our state.”

Hernandez also supported the Fair Tax, which requires that the very wealthy pay their share and provide tax relief to 99.8% of families in her community. Illinois’ tax system is among the most unfair in the country and working families bear too much of a burden, which is why Hernandez fought to make the wealthiest pay their fair share so we can build an Illinois that works for everyone.

“For too long, Illinois’ budget crises have created instability and divestment in our communities,” Hernandez said. “By asking the wealthiest to pay their fair share we’ll be able invest in our local public schools, create good paying jobs, and make sure all Illinoisans have access to quality and affordable health care.”