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The legislators have introduced a package of bills aimed at
addressing education, housing and the state’s high property
taxes.
One set of bills would make it easier for Illinoisans to attend
a trade school to attract more plumbers and electricians to help
build Illinois, which state Rep. Brad Stephens, R-Rosemont, said
should be a priority.
“Too often the people in this building focus on the wrong
solutions,” said Stephens. “Over regulation, tax increases, and
over spending will not fix our state.”
Part of House Bill 1729 would give tax credits to Illinoisans
who donate money for scholarships to trade schools.
Republican members of the House are also proposing ending taxes
on tips, and waiving first-year business license fees.
GOP members of the Illinois Senate unveiled legislation to
address the state’s high property taxes. Senate Bill 2093 would
allow taxpayers who pay more in property taxes but less for
income taxes receive a refund. Senate Bill 2086 would raise the
income eligibility for the low-income senior citizen assessment
freeze homestead exemption to $75,000.
"Based on the rise in income, some of them will be falling off
having that senior freeze,” said state Sen. Erica Harriss,
R-Glen Carbon. “This bill will address that to keep some of our
vulnerable seniors in their homes.”
Illinois has the second highest property taxes in the country
behind only New Jersey.
“Family budgets have to look at the high cost of groceries, gas
and utilities and the skyrocketing Illinois property taxes only
add to this burden,” said state Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy. |
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