Last week was busy with session and late nights passing legislation in the House. A total of 379 bills passed with 314 Democrat bills and 65 Republican bills. The most disappointing fact is very few bills passed that improve the quality of life for Illinois citizens. The bottom line is we have critical issues that must be addressed or we will continue to see hard-working families and businesses struggle to get ahead. High taxes and regulations are stifling opportunities and economic growth in Illinois. People want change, and they want legislators in Springfield to make a positive difference by passing legislation that offers tax relief.
I support several pieces of legislation that would offer immediate tax relief.
HB1457– Reduces Estate Taxes for persons dying on or after January 1, 2026
HB2865– Eliminates estate tax by reducing estate taxes by 20% annually until repealed by 2031
Property Tax Assessments
HB1496– Reduces property taxes by setting caps on valuations of residential property
No Tax Increases During 104th General Assembly
HR95– Joint commitment to not vote for any tax increases in State Budget
Reimbursement to Municipalities
HB3209– Reimbursement to eligible municipalities for revenue loss associated with tax exempt State property
“We need to grown our economy by reducing unnecessary mandates and creating opportunities for workers and businesses. The only way to move forward is by creating a business-friendly environment with low taxes.”
Every year, taxpayers voice their growing concerns about the direction the state of Illinois is going, and they have been clear about demanding change. Unfortunately, Democrats continue to ignore their voices and refuse to fight for the ones who keep our economy moving. Illinois has the tools and resources to grow our economy, lower taxes, and make life easier for families and small-business owners. Yet, Illinois is still strapped with second-highest property tax rates, second-highest state corporate income tax rate, and high unemployment. Illinois taxpayers contribute the largest percentage of their incomes toward state and local taxes. This issue is important to me because we can’t tax our way to prosperity.
During session, we witnessed Democrats ram bills through the chamber that do everything but benefit working families. Here is a snapshot of a few bad bills that do nothing to help Illinois citizens:
HB1600: Prohibits restaurants using a third-party food delivery platform or third-party online ordering platform from providing single-use foodware unless specifically requested by the consumer.
HB1305: Amends the Environmental Protection Act- filing fees for specified petitions increase from $75 to $250
HB2771: Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Increases certificate fees from $10 to $65 when the Department of Public Health issues certificates such as health certificates, or an equivalent, to Illinois food, dairy, drug, cosmetic, or medical device manufacturers, processors, packers, or warehousers.
HB2927: Requires schools to suspend all instruction in history education. Requires the State Superintendent of Education to review comprehensive standards that a school may use as a guide in replacing or developing its curricula for history education.
The Homeschool Act
Legislation threatening Homeschool Freedom fails to advance in IL House. The Homeschool Act would impose a variety of mandates on homeschooling families, some of which are highly intrusive. As amended, the Act would require each parent or guardian of a homeschooled pupil to submit a notification and data form to the public-school bureaucracy. If a registration form is not submitted for a school-age child, the child may be classified as a truant. Truancy imposes potential penalties, including criminal penalties, upon the allegedly truant student and his or her parents or guardians. Over 51,000 witness slips were filed in opposition to this bill and homeschool parents continue to fight back against an overreaching state measure. I will be voting no to this bill because it’s bad for Illinois families and private education.
Homeschool families from across Illinois have mobilized in significant opposition to the Homeschool Act. In response to this opposition, the Democratic sponsor of the Homeschool Act threw out the old language of the bill, and substituted the language of House Amendment #2 to HB 2827. The amended bill maintains intrusions into the lives of homeschooling families, and when the amendment was debated in a House committee last week, tens of thousands of witness slips were filed in opposition.
I fought back against House Bill 742 in the Financial Institutions and Licensing Committee last week. This bill passed committee with all Republicans voting against the measure. This bill is prime example of how Democrat politicians drive businesses and families out of Illinois due to mounting regulations.
HB742 would require digital asset businesses and organizations to register and submit an application with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). This bill also gives the Department distinct powers to enforce digital asset regulations.
“This bill totally misses the mark and would no doubt hamper business growth in Illinois. If we really want to grow our economy, we must stop overregulating businesses with unnecessary mandates. We need to make Illinois more business friendly and support the great businesses that call Illinois their home.”