At a time when many Illinoisans are struggling to keep up with rising costs, some lawmakers are proposing tax hikes that would further burden working families and seniors. House Republicans, including myself, are committed to opposing any effort to increase taxes as budget negotiations for Fiscal Year 2026 begin. With state spending increasing by more than $15 billion since 2019, we must focus on fiscal responsibility rather than making Illinoisans pay more.
I will continue to stand against excessive taxation and work toward real financial relief for hardworking families.
In this newsletter, I’d like to share with you how I’m working to bring relief to working families, make our public spaces more accessible for everyone, ease financial burdens on our seniors, and also an update on my continued fight against human trafficking.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or concerns about these legislative efforts, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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Relief for Working Families
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Illinois families are facing increasing financial challenges, from rising costs of living to excessive taxes and limited workforce opportunities. That’s why I’m proud to co-sponsor the entire Relief for Working Families legislative package, a series of bills designed to ease financial burdens, encourage entrepreneurship, and expand workforce training opportunities.
This package includes several key proposals:
- HB 1351 – Reducing Barriers to Start Act (Rep. Kyle Moore): Eliminates many first-year fees for new businesses, helping entrepreneurs get up and running faster.
- HB 1729 – Reinvest in Future Technical Careers Act (Rep. Mike Coffey): Provides tax credits for those who contribute to funds that offer scholarships for students attending technical academies.
- HB 1752 (Rep. Brad Stephens): Creates an income tax deduction for businesses that provide educational assistance to employees.
- HB 3807 – Illinois Trades Retention and Development Encouragement (ITRADE) Grant (Rep. Kevin Schmidt): Establishes grants to help students gain degrees or certifications in skilled trades like electrical work, plumbing, masonry, and construction.
- HB 3821 (Rep. Ryan Spain): Doubles the education expense income tax credit from $750 to $1,500 per year to ease the cost of education for working families.
- HB 1112 (Rep. Jed Davis): Allows highly skilled trade workers to become educators without requiring a bachelor’s degree, addressing the shortage of licensed instructors.
- HB 1383 (Rep. Ryan Spain): Provides an income tax deduction for gratuities reported on federal tax returns, ensuring tipped workers keep more of their earnings.
These initiatives reflect our commitment to standing with working families and ensuring Illinois remains a place where people can thrive.
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My Bills Moving to Committee
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I’d also like to share with you bills I’ve introduced that are now advancing through the legislative process:
- HB 1788 – Prioritizing Accessibility in Open Space Development
This bill updates the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act, ensuring that when the Illinois Department of Natural Resources awards grants, projects that exceed minimum ADA accessibility standards receive priority. Every Illinois resident, regardless of ability, should have access to parks and open spaces. - HB 1789 – Property Tax Relief for Seniors
Rising property taxes have become a major burden on seniors living on fixed incomes. HB 1789 amends the Illinois Property Tax Code to cap the total property tax bill for properties receiving the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption. Under this bill, eligible seniors’ property tax bills could not exceed 101% of the previous year’s bill, except in cases where home improvements increase the property’s fair market value. This measure offers financial stability and ensures that seniors who have invested in their communities aren’t priced out of their homes. - HB 1467 – Closing Loopholes in Human Trafficking Laws
This bill eliminates a legal defense that has allowed individuals accused of patronizing minors engaged in prostitution to claim they reasonably believed the person was over 18 or did not have a severe intellectual disability. By strengthening legal definitions of trafficking-related offenses, increasing penalties, and expanding protections for minors, this legislation ensures traffickers and those who exploit vulnerable individuals are held fully accountable.
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