Senate Republican lawmakers have advanced legislation to alleviate the financial burdens placed on families dealing with unforeseen property tax penalties in the wake of a loved one’s passing."Currently, even when a person has passed away, governments may still be charging their estate with interest and penalties for property taxes, leaving grieving families with unexpected expenses."The proposed Senate Bill 2832, sponsored by Senator Steve McClure, aims to provide relief to families by allowing the estate of a deceased individual to apply for a waiver with the county...
Ignoring concerns from Illinois’ agriculture community, environmental activists are pushing legislation that would grant the state sweeping authority over private land.The bill was proposed in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision, which rolled back the scope of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and curtailed overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). WOTUS, a part of the Federal Clean Water Act, has been heavily criticized by farmers, homeowners, and landowners because of the broad authority it gave the government over private land....
Legislation advanced last week in Illinois with the aim of enhancing workforce development efforts in the state by introducing a comprehensive system to evaluate the effectiveness of state-funded economic development programs and resources.According to Senator Dave Syverson, the sponsor of Senate Bill 2907, the legislation, known as the Illinois Job Training and Workforce Development Transparency Act, is designed to bring more transparency and accountability to job training and workforce development initiatives in the state. The bill mandates the Illinois Department of...
In observance of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, efforts are being made to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in Illinois. According to a recent report, the state has been grappling with significant funding inadequacies in supporting the developmental disabilities (DD) community."Iintellectual disabilities (ID) or developmental disabilities (DD) affect a family member in one out of 10 families," highlighting the widespread impact of such conditions within the population. Access to essential disability services is contingent...
State Senator Sally Turner, State Representative Bill Hauter, Logan County Board Chairman Emily Davenport, and Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch have voiced their concerns over the Governor's plan to close and rebuild Stateville Correctional Center and Logan Correctional Center. The announcement has left many uncertainties regarding the fate of employees, inmates, and the local communities.The Governor's proposal to allocate $900 million for the maintenance and modernization of Department of Corrections facilities, with the intention to demolish and rebuild Logan and Stateville,...
Illinois State Senators Sue Rezin and Jil Tracy have introduced new legislation aimed at providing financial assistance to struggling families with young children. The proposed bills are designed to alleviate the financial burden faced by parents who have children enrolled in daycare and pre-K programs.According to Sen. Rezin, the lack of access to affordable preschool and childcare is a significant challenge for many families. She emphasized the importance of easing this financial burden and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to receive preschool education....
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has launched two new grant programs aimed at addressing nonpoint source pollution through watershed management projects. The programs offer a total of $4.75 million in funding for project proposals that focus on reducing, preventing, and eliminating surface and groundwater quality impairments in Illinois.The IEPA is specifically targeting local governments with these funding opportunities, with the objective of safeguarding water quality within municipalities. Applications for the grants will be accepted from March 13 to...
Agriculture students from high schools across the state recently gathered in Springfield to make their voices heard on behalf of their industry. This event, known as Illinois Ag Lobby Day, brings together farmers, industry representatives, and members of high school FFA chapters to advocate for agriculture during the spring legislative session.State Senator Sue Rezin highlighted the significance of the students' participation, stating, "It’s a great experience for the students to get involved at a young age and underscored the importance of agriculture as the state’s top...
State Senator Sue Rezin has taken a stand for transparency regarding the spending on noncitizen populations in Illinois, particularly in response to Governor JB Pritzker's welfare policies. The lack of clarity surrounding the allocation of taxpayer dollars towards the migrant crisis has raised concerns among lawmakers. Senator Rezin, along with her colleagues, is pushing for greater accountability in government spending.The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 3170, aims to shed light on the financial aspects of providing services and resources to migrants in the state. The...
In a month dedicated to honoring and recognizing the achievements of women, the state of Illinois pays tribute to its female trailblazers and leaders. As stated by an anonymous source, "The month of March is designated to acknowledge and commemorate the many great achievements made by women. This month-long celebration is also used to inspire and encourage the next generation of female history makers."The historical significance of Women's History Month can be traced back to actions taken by Congress and advocacy groups. According to records, "In 1982, Congress requested...
State Senator Sue Rezin recently hosted high school students from the 38th Senate District at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield as part of her Youth Advisory Council (YAC) program. The program aims to educate local high school students about the state’s legislative process."Sen. Rezin’s YAC program allows local high school students to learn more about government through two meetings held each school year," stated a source.The fall meeting of the YAC program involved students hearing from local leaders and engaging in discussions on issues important to them....
Illinois Senate Minority Deputy Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris) is urging Congress to take further action to protect every American’s sensitive personal information. Rezin emphasized the importance of safeguarding individuals' privacy rights in the digital age, stating, “This isn’t about protecting data; it’s about protecting people and their right to privacy.”Rezin called on Congress to enact national legislation similar to the Privacy Rights Act she introduced in the Illinois Senate. The proposed Act would empower individuals by providing them with the right to know what...
Farms throughout cities in Grundy County received $9.8 million less in subsidies in 2021 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture compared to the year before.