Property taxes remain one of the biggest concerns I hear about across our district, and earlier this month I joined my House Republican colleagues in Springfield to address the growing strain these costs are placing on working families throughout Illinois.
Families across the state are being squeezed from every direction. Property tax bills continue climbing while household budgets are already stretched thin by higher costs for groceries, utilities, gas, and everyday necessities. In many cases, families are paying thousands of dollars each year simply to stay in the homes they worked hard to afford.
During a press conference in Springfield earlier this month, I spoke about how the burden on homeowners has continued to grow in recent years. Data from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office found that nearly $2 billion in property tax burden shifted onto homeowners over a three-year period. At the same time, residential tax bills increased sharply across many communities in our region.
In Cook County alone, the median property tax bill is roughly $6,300. In many DuPage County communities, median tax bills exceed $7,500, while Will County homeowners continue facing some of the highest effective property tax rates in the region.
These rising costs create real consequences for families. In some of the hardest-hit areas, about 10% of homeowners were only able to make partial payments on their property tax bills. That points to a growing financial strain that many families simply cannot continue absorbing year after year.
House Republicans are continuing to push for reforms that improve transparency, increase taxpayer protections, and bring more stability into the property tax system. Proposals discussed this week included requiring greater notice for tax increases, increasing transparency around referenda, reinvesting certain paid-off bond funds into property tax relief, and giving voters a stronger voice before additional tax burdens are approved.
Long-term growth also matters. When families and businesses leave Illinois, the tax burden shifts onto those who remain. Strong communities, economic opportunity, and responsible policies all play an important role in easing that pressure.
Illinois families are asking for fairness and affordability. Those concerns deserve serious attention, and I will continue working toward practical solutions that help families stay in the communities they love.
SB3016 to Create Accessible Public Places Passes Committee
I’m proud to share that my bill, SB3016, passed the House Executive Committee.
This legislation helps encourage more universally designed parks, playgrounds, trails, and public spaces by prioritizing projects that go beyond bare minimum ADA standards in the OSLAD Grant award process.
I believe that all kids of all abilities deserve to play alongside their peers and every family deserves the opportunity to fully enjoy the outdoors and community spaces without unnecessary barriers standing in the way.
This is a bill that can and will improve our public community spaces for all.
Thank you to Senator DeWitte, IDNR, Illinois Association of Park Districts, LWSRA and many others. This was a true collaboration.
I will keep you posted as it moves through the legislative process!
Supreme Court Redistricting Ruling
This month’s Supreme Court decision on redistricting sends a clear message: fairness in our elections matters, and the Constitution still sets the boundaries for how maps are drawn.
What we’re seeing in Illinois right now raises serious concerns. The proposed constitutional amendment moving through Springfield prioritizes the very kind of mapmaking the Court just rejected. That should give every lawmaker pause.
This goes deeper than politics. Voters deserve confidence that elections are fair, transparent, and not tilted before a single ballot is cast. When lines are drawn to serve political outcomes instead of people, trust erodes. Once that trust is gone, it’s hard to rebuild.
I believe Illinois should take this moment seriously. We have an opportunity to step back, reconsider the direction we’re heading, and choose a process that respects both the law and the people we represent.
Our responsibility is simple: protect the integrity of our elections and ensure every voice carries equal weight. That’s what this decision reinforces, and that’s what we should be fighting for here at home.
Police Memorial in Springfield
Last week in Springfield, I joined law enforcement officers, families, and communities from across Illinois to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
This ceremony is always deeply moving. Behind every badge is a person who chose a life of service, courage, and protection. Behind every fallen officer is a family carrying both pride and unimaginable loss. Today, we remembered their sacrifice, honored their legacy, and stood alongside the loved ones they left behind.
Please continue to keep the families of our fallen officers, and all those who put on the uniform each day to protect our communities, in your prayers.
They Deserve More
I had the honor of speaking at They Deserve More Advocacy Day last week alongside families, advocates, and Direct Support Professionals fighting for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Illinois.
As a parent, this work is personal to me. Different journeys, same fight. Families deserve support they can depend on, and that means supporting the DSPs who help individuals live safely, independently, and with dignity every day.
I’ll continue working to make sure families, providers, and advocates have a voice in Springfield and that critical services remain strong for those who rely on them most.
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