Wilcox Co-Sponsors Measures Aimed at Making Home Ownership More Affordable
For Illinois families struggling with the cost of living, some of the biggest expenses can be found right at home.
Buying a home is only one part of the financial challenge. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage costs, and utility bills can add to the ongoing cost of homeownership. This year I am co-sponsoring several proposals aimed at providing relief for both future and current homeowners.
Several of the proposals focus on property taxes. Senate Bill 3868 would double Illinois’ residential Property Tax Credit from 5% to 10% of qualifying property taxes paid on a taxpayer’s principal residence. Senate Bill 3849 would tie the maximum General Homestead Exemption reduction to inflation.
Another proposal specifically focuses on seniors. Senate Bill 4029 would eventually tie the income eligibility limit for the Low Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption to inflation, helping prevent inflation alone from pushing seniors beyond the program’s income threshold.
Other legislative proposals focus on costs beyond property taxes. Senate Bill 3848 would create an income tax deduction based on increases in homeowners insurance premiums for qualifying taxpayers.
Senate Republicans are also seeking to address the challenge of purchasing a first home. Senate Bill 3959 would create the Welcome Home Illinois tax credit, providing eligible first-time homebuyers with a $500 state income tax credit after purchasing a home in Illinois.
The package also includes Senate Bill 2687, the Home Utility Relief Act, which is intended to provide rebates for families struggling with utility bills.
The affordability challenges surrounding homeownership do not stop once someone receives the keys. Property taxes, insurance, utilities, and other household expenses can continue putting pressure on family budgets long after a home is purchased.
These legislative proposals approach home affordability from multiple directions, with the goal of helping first-time buyers become homeowners while providing current homeowners and seniors with relief.
Wilcox Fall Events Calendar Concludes with Senior Expo and Veterans Appreciation Event
Event season is winding down, but I still have two more events to round out my outreach calendar for the year.
On October 14, I am co-hosting a comprehensive Senior Expo in Crystal Lake. Over 30 agencies and non-profits that cater to the needs of seniors will all be under one roof for this annual event. In addition to the vendor tables, a variety of free services and healthcare screenings will also be available.
Then, on October 24, I am co-hosting a Veterans Appreciation Luncheon ad Expo in Lake Zurich with my Senate colleague, Senator Darby Hills.
The Expo will provide a reliable place where area veterans and their families can make connections and receive information on many different types of veterans’ programs and resources. This will be followed by a ceremony and a complimentary lunch. Those who are interested in attending the veterans’ event are asked to RSVP by phone at 224-662-4544 or via email at bomalleywest@sgop.ilga.gov.
Illinois Democrats’ New Taxes and Fees Face Legal Battle
Illinois families and businesses already face one of the highest state and local tax burdens in the nation, yet the Fiscal Year 2027 budget pushed by Illinois Democrats added hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes and fees. Now, three of the new taxes and fees are facing a legal battle.
The measures include a Digital Asset Tax, a Targeted Advertising Services Tax commonly referred to as the Digital Ad Tax, and a Social Media Platform Fee. All three were approved as part of the revenue package accompanying the FY27 state budget.
The Digital Asset Tax imposes a 0.2 percent tax on qualifying digital asset business activity involving Illinois customers. The Digital Chamber has filed a lawsuit challenging the measure, alleging that it unlawfully singles out digital asset transactions for different tax treatment. The courts have not yet resolved those claims.
Separate lawsuits filed by NetChoice challenge the Digital Ad Tax and Social Media Platform Fee, alleging violations of federal law and constitutional protections. Those claims likewise remain pending before the courts.
While the revenue from the Digital Asset Tax and Social Media Platform Fee, a total of $260 million, was included in the FY27 budget, Illinois Democrats didn’t even include the revenue from the Digital Ad Tax because they knew it would face a legal challenge.
That fact alone raises serious questions about why Democrats would pass a new tax that they didn’t have enough confidence in its legality to rely on it for their budget. Illinois should be focused on reducing costs and creating a more competitive environment for families and employers rather than continually searching for new sources of tax revenue.
Legislative Ethics Commission Names Acting Inspector General
The Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC) has appointed David E. Risley to serve as Acting Legislative Inspector General (LIG) beginning October 1, following the resignation of current Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey, which takes effect September 30.
According to the LEC’s announcement, Risley, who is a Certified Inspector General, has more than 30 years of investigative and prosecutorial experience, including serving as a former Assistant U.S. Attorney. He has also served as Ethics Officer for the Illinois Department of Transportation and as Legal and Ethics Advisor to the Office of the Legislative Inspector General. Risley also served in the U.S. Regime Crimes Liaison Office.
Under state law, the Legislative Ethics Commission can appoint an acting inspector general following a vacancy. The acting LIG has the same authority and responsibilities as a permanent inspector general and may serve until a permanent replacement is confirmed by the General Assembly.
The LEC announced that Risley will assume his new temporary role beginning October 1 while the Commission continues its search for a permanent inspector general. The position has been posted publicly, and the application deadline is currently set for October 31.