It’s officially fall! What an incredible summer it was. I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had lately to meet with you, the people I serve, and learn about what matters most to you. Rest assured I’ve been hard at work to meet your needs to the very best of my abilities.
In this edition of “Representative La Ha’s Latest,” I’d like to share with you some news, what I’ve been up to around the district, and some state resources that may be helpful to you.
As always, thank you for making District 82 the amazing community it is! Let’s continue to work together to further draw out its potential and make it the very best it can be!
News
Property Tax Relief
As your State Representative for the 82nd District, I recently stood with my colleagues, Representatives Dan Ugaste (R-65th District) and Jackie Haas (R-79th District), in Chicago’s Bilandic Press Room to address one of the most pressing issues facing our state—property taxes. Illinois families are feeling the weight of skyrocketing property taxes, and it’s time we do something about it.
Property taxes in our state are out of control. Hardworking families, business owners, and retirees alike are shouldering a burden that simply isn’t sustainable. According to a Wallet Hub study from February 2024, Illinois has the second-highest property tax burden in the country, with an average rate of 2.23%. That’s a figure that impacts all of us across the state’s 102 counties, and it’s clear that we need relief now.
I’m committed to fighting for real change and have introduced and supported several measures aimed at easing this burden:
- HB4242: This bill increases the homestead exemption for individuals with disabilities from $2,000 to $4,000.
- HB4244: It raises the income limit for the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption from $65,000 to $80,000.
- HB4866: Establishes a program to award property tax relief grants to school districts, with 100% of the funds going directly to taxpayers.
- HB4229: Exempts licensed daycare facilities used exclusively for charitable purposes from property taxes.
The reality is simple—families are being crushed by rising property taxes, and the supermajority in Springfield hasn’t taken meaningful steps to address this crisis. We need to take immediate action to lower these rates and provide much-needed relief to ensure that our communities can thrive.
I will continue to fight for the people of Illinois and push for legislation that prioritizes families over fiscal mismanagement. Together, we can bring about the change we so desperately need.
Click the following link to see my full remarks as well as media coverage on the press conference: Full Property Tax Press Conference Remarks and News Coverage – Nicole La Ha (replaha.com)
Illinois’ unemployment rate up again in August. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced Thursday that nonfarm payrolls were up +800 while the unemployment rate increased +0.1 percentage point to 5.3 percent in August, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The July monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +12,900 to +10,300 jobs, while the revised unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, unchanged from the preliminary July unemployment rate. The August payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
In August, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+2,300), Construction (+2,200), and Financial Activities (+1,600). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll job declines included: Leisure and Hospitality (-2,900), Professional and Business Services (-1,600), and Other Services (-1,500).
The state’s unemployment rate was +1.1 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate reported for August. The national unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in August, down -0.1 percentage point from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate was up +0.7 percentage point from a year ago when it was 4.6 percent.
Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +36,300 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Government (+35,600), Private Education and Health Services (+26,100), and Other Services (+11,200). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-27,800), Financial Activities (-5,400), and Information (-4,400). In August, total nonfarm payrolls were up +0.6 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +1.5 percent in the nation.
The number of unemployed workers was 343,100, up +0.4 percent from the prior month, and up +15.7 percent over the same month one year ago. The labor force was almost unchanged (0.0 percent) over-the-month and up +1.2 percent over- the-year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
Are we any safer one year after cash bail was abolished? One year after Illinois became the first state in the nation to abolish cash bail, the consequences are clear—public safety is being compromised, and the system is failing the very people it was supposed to protect. The implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which went into effect on September 18, 2023, has sparked significant concern among citizens and law enforcement. The act has left communities vulnerable and undermined the authority of the courts to hold dangerous criminals accountable for their crimes.
The SAFE-T Act, passed in January 2021 and later signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, was touted as a step toward fairness. The SAFE-T Act’s original version was 700 plus pages of what advocates called reform, but in reality, it placed unfunded mandates on law enforcement and placed criminals above crime victims. One portion of the SAFE-T Act, the Pretrial Fairness Act, abolished cash bail in Illinois. Proponents argued that eliminating cash bail would prevent poor defendants from languishing in jail simply because they couldn’t afford to pay for their release. But this idealistic vision has come at a steep price for law-abiding Illinoisans. By removing cash bail as a tool for judges, the law ties the hands of law enforcement and courts, making it harder to detain potentially dangerous individuals awaiting trial.
Under the new system, judges can only detain defendants for certain felony offenses if they are deemed to pose a direct threat to the community or are likely to flee. But what about those charged with serious but non-violent crimes? Defendants charged with other non-violent felonies are often now released back into the community. This dangerous gap has led to repeat offenders walking the streets while awaiting trial, putting the public at greater risk.
Critics of the Act have consistently warned that this reform prioritizes criminals over victims. By eliminating cash bail, the law ignores the rights of crime victims and disregards the concerns of communities already plagued by high crime rates.
The reality is that crime in Illinois is on the rise. House Republicans have time and time again pointed out that violent crimes like shootings, carjackings, and burglaries continue to increase, yet the Act seems more focused on protecting the rights of offenders than the safety of the community.
Another glaring oversight of the Pretrial Fairness Act is its impact on local court systems. In smaller counties, which lack the resources and infrastructure to handle the increased demands of the new pretrial detention system, the law has created chaos. Judges now face the burden of conducting more complex pretrial hearings placing an unfunded burden on the court system and the community. The act has not only tied the hands of law enforcement but also overburdened local judicial systems that are already operating on thin margins.
So, a year after the implementation of the abolishment of cash bail, are we any safer? The headlines tell the story… Illinois SAFE-T Act diminishes public safety:
- In Chicago, nearly 20 percent of felony arrests are people already on pretrial release for other cases
- Joliet robbery defendant was on pretrial release under SAFE-T Act
- Kankakee County: Bradley Man Accused of Peeping Into Homes Faces Charges
- Kenneally: Data show an increase in crime after the SAFE-T Act’s implementation among those on bond
As you can see from the headlines above, the SAFE-T Act’s abolition of cash bail has proven to be a reckless gamble with public safety. By prioritizing the rights of criminals over the safety of victims, Illinois has set a dangerous precedent that other states should not follow. Cash bail, while not perfect, served as an important tool for ensuring that those awaiting trial were held accountable. Without it, Illinois risks turning its communities into havens for repeat offenders.
If Illinois is to restore trust in its justice system, it must revisit and amend the SAFE-T Act. Reform should be about balancing fairness with safety, not swinging the pendulum so far that the scales tip in favor of criminals. Illinois deserves better—and so do its citizens.
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
As the only woman of Hispanic Heritage currently serving in the House Republicans, I’m honored to celebrate the rich and vibrant culture and history of the Hispanic community.
This month, let’s come together to honor the incredible contributions and achievements of Hispanic Americans who inspire us every day. I’m proud to represent this diverse and dynamic heritage and look forward to continuing our work to uplift and support our community.
Around the District
Visiting residents and staff at Eden Vista of Burr Ridge
At our ICash Event
At the Homer Township Senior Lifestyle Expo
Speaking at a Property Tax Appeal Seminar
Resources
988 Lifeline
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text 988. You can also visit 988lifeline.org for additional resources.
Energy Assistance Programs
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers financial aid to help households pay their utility bills. LIHEAP is available statewide, assisting households in managing energy costs during the winter months. Visit Utility Bill Assistance – Utility Bill Assistance (illinois.gov) for more information.
I-Cash (Illinois Unclaimed Property):
The State Treasurer’s I-Cash program helps reunite Illinois residents with unclaimed property such as forgotten bank accounts, life insurance benefits, or uncashed checks. Visit Illinois Unclaimed Property – Official State Site (illinoistreasurer.gov) for more information.