(The Center Square) – Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly say they have solutions to help working families in the state.
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.
