Chesney Enjoys Record Turnout at Freeport Community Connections Event
We filled one of the meeting rooms at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau building last Wednesday when I hosted my latest Community Connections meeting. Stephenson County Board Chairman Scott Helms co-hosted the event with me and it was a great opportunity for the two of us to connect with our shared constituencies.
After some brief remarks from Chairman Helms, I provided a brief overview of the 2024 legislative session. Then we spent about an hour fielding questions from a very engaged audience.
Several attendees expressed frustration and anger at recent policies approved and enacted by Illinois Democrats, including the law that changes references to “criminals” or “offenders” in the Illinois statutes to “justice impacted individuals.” We also discussed taxpayer-funded abortions, gender-neutral bathrooms and the massive amounts of tax dollars that are being siphoned away from vulnerable citizen groups like the developmentally and intellectually disabled, veterans, and seniors, and toward programs and free healthcare for migrants and illegal immigrants.
My last two Community Connections meetings are scheduled for September 11 in Elizabeth and September 12 in Oregon. Information about those events can be found here.
Chesney Visits Machesney Park Business as Lawsuit Abuse Threatens Local Economy
Last week I enjoyed visiting Superior Joining Technologies, Inc. in Machesney Park to learn about the business and discuss challenges and successes. We had a productive conversation ad I appreciate the invitation for a tour.
The visit occurred as news hit that lawsuit abuse is hitting the area with a vengeance. The Rockton-Roscoe news is reporting a “tort tax” of $1,858 per year per resident in the Rockford area, as found by a non-profit group Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. This tort abuse is placing a heavy burden on businesses and families alike.
According to the report, Illinois lost over $23 billion in economic output last year due to frivolous lawsuits, with more than 215,000 jobs disappearing across the state, including many in our local communites.
State lawmakers recently passed legislation that makes it even harder for businesses to thrive. New laws have increased punitive damages and imposed stricter liabilities, pushing local employers to the brink and discouraging new investments in the area.
Tax Credits Available for Parents and Educators
With students back in the classroom and a new school year underway, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding eligible taxpayers that they may claim back-to-school expenses for their K-12 students on their 2024 individual income tax returns. With the high cost of living and taxes placing significant strain on working families, every bit of financial relief counts.
The Illinois Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of a full-time K-12 student under the age of 21 to take a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250, up to a maximum credit of $750. Eligible expenses include tuition, book rental, and lab fees paid to the school where the student is enrolled full-time. For families who homeschool, book rental and lab fees that exceed $250 also qualify, provided they are part of an approved home school program.
In addition to the credit for parents, Illinois also offers the K-12 Instructional Materials and Supplies Tax Credit for educators. Teachers, instructors, counselors, principals, and aides working in a qualified school for at least 900 hours during the school year can claim up to $500 for out-of-pocket expenses on classroom materials. For educator spouses filing jointly, the maximum credit doubles to $1,000.
Additional information regarding both tax credits may be found by visiting IDOR’s website at tax.illinois.gov and Pub-112, Education Expense Credit General Rules and Requirements for Schools, Home Schools, Parents, and Guardians.
Over $243,000 Coming to 45th Senate District Libraries
Libraries play a crucial role in uniting our communities and provide all residents with access to useful information and technology. I am pleased to announce that several libraries and library districts in the 45th Senate District are receiving a combined $243,662.62 in state library grants this year.
The grants, awarded throughout Illinois, included annual per capita and equalization aid grant funding, public library construction grants and one-time newly created technology grants to help libraries most in need to upgrade their technology infrastructure. The 45th Senate District allocations are as follows:
All grants awarded in the 45th District are per capita grants with the exception of the Freeport, Lanark, and Mount Morris Public Libraries. Those three libraries received technology grants.
Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Ruling Blocking Law That Limits Candidate Slating
The Illinois Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court’s ruling that blocked Senate Bill 2412, a controversial law signed by Governor Pritzker in May. The bill aimed to halt the practice of slating candidates to fill ballot vacancies for the current election cycle, even as candidates were already collecting petition signatures and All grants awarded in the 45th District are per capita grants with the exception of the Freeport, Lanark, and Mount Morris Public Libraries. Those three libraries received technology grants.
rearranging their lives to run for office. Republican lawmakers criticized the bill as an attempt to benefit Democratic incumbents and reduce voter choice in the upcoming election.
Governor Pritzker’s legislative allies petitioned the court to revisit the earlier ruling, but the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision, declaring the law unconstitutional since it attempted to alter election rules after the election cycle had begun. If the law Pritzker signed had taken effect, it would have prevented numerous candidates from being placed on the ballot in the 2024 general election. The measure drew swift criticism from many, including good government advocates, who viewed it as a blatant power grab by Democratic lawmakers to give vulnerable incumbents an advantage in November.
Under the recent ruling, candidates who had collected the required number of petition signatures by the official deadline will now be placed on the ballot for voter consideration.
