In this issue:
- Partisan division continues on issue of property tax reform
- Bill to require serial numbers on ammunition is stopped
- La Salle County Farm Bureau legislative breakfast
- Museums in the Park constituent card now available
Partisan division continues on issue of property tax reform
Property tax bills will soon be arriving in mailboxes all over Illinois, and once again Illinoisans will be reminded that we pay some of the highest property taxes in the country. The property tax system needs to be reformed, and several bills have been filed to make changes to different aspects of the overall structure. But progress has been hindered lately because policymakers can’t seem to agree on exactly where the problem is.
Governor Pritzker recently commented that Illinoisans were “confused” about the source of high property taxes, seeking to shift the blame from bad state policies and put it on local school boards and other local governments. He forgets that he eliminated a property tax relief grant program which previously helped school districts lower tax levies. He also forgets that this year he proposed another reduction in the amount of state tax revenue which would flow to local governments, thus forcing them to consider even higher property taxes to make up the difference.
This latest controversy over property taxes occurred following the release of a report from the Cook County Treasurer’s office which found that over the past 30 years, the amount of property taxes collected grew at double the rate of inflation.
Bill to require serial numbers on ammunition is stopped
A bill has been stopped which would have required all handgun ammunition manufactured in Illinois or transported into Illinois to have a serial number printed upon it. House Bill 4414 was filed early this year and referred to a House committee, but it did not receive a vote before the deadline for bills to advance out of committee, and therefore it did not make it to the House floor. This bill was just another attempt to drive up costs for law-abiding gun owners and make it harder for Illinoisans to exercise Constitutionally protected rights.
Though this bill did not make it through the process, I will keep watching for any similar proposals. If any other bill with this idea reaches the House floor, I will vote No.
La Salle County Farm Bureau legislative breakfast
As both a State Representative and a farmer, attending the LaSalle County Farm Bureau Legislative Breakfast is always time well spent.
There’s nothing more important than hearing directly from the folks who work the land every day. Conversations about rising input costs, market uncertainty, and the need for practical, commonsense policy aren’t just talking points, they’re real challenges facing our communities.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to listen, share updates from the Capitol, and bring those perspectives back to help shape better decisions. Agriculture isn’t just our heritage—it’s our future, and I’m proud to stand with the men and women who keep it strong.
Museums in the Park constituent card now available
Planning a family trip to Chicago?
Don’t miss out on some of the city’s top attractions like the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Children’s Museum, Field Museum, and Museum of Science and Industry!
With the Museums in the Park Pass, you can receive up to 4 FREE tickets (note: Shedd Aquarium has a $5 fee).
We’ve had an overwhelming number of requests—because it’s such an amazing opportunity, and we love helping families take advantage of it!
Please allow at least 2 business days before your visit for us to process your letter of authorization.
Call: 779-218-3070
Email: [email protected]
Our current bill backlog
When a vendor provides the state with goods and services, they submit the bill to the Illinois Comptroller for payment. The Comptroller processes the paperwork and pays the bill when funds are available in the state’s checking account. Currently the total amount of unpaid bills is $2,638,781,808. This figure changes daily. Last year at this time the state had $2.3 billion in bills awaiting payment. This only includes bills submitted to the Comptroller for payment, not unfunded debts like the state’s pension liability, which is well over $100 billion.
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