Lawmakers Enter Final Two Weeks of Session
With just two weeks remaining before the scheduled May 31 adjournment, Illinois lawmakers still have numerous major issues to resolve before the spring legislative session comes to a close.
The biggest task ahead will be passing the state’s next budget. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed FY 26-27 budget totals about $56 billion, and the plan relies on more than $700 million in new taxes and fund sweeps at a time when Illinois families are already facing an affordability crisis.
Our Senate Republican budgeteers are at the table fighting to protect taxpayers from another spending plan built on higher taxes, while pushing for a responsible budget that provides relief to hardworking families and businesses across Illinois.
Lawmakers are also expected to continue discussions on other high-profile proposals, including a megaprojects bill aimed at keeping the Bears football franchise in Illinois.
To follow legislative action during the final days of session, the public can visit ilga.gov.
Senators Wilcox, Turner, and Balkema Highlight Property Tax Relief Package to Address Illinois’ Crippling Tax Burden
Illinois families continue to face one of the highest overall tax burdens in the nation, with skyrocketing property taxes putting increasing pressure on homeowners, seniors, farmers, and small businesses across the state.
Last week, I joined Assistant Senate Republican Leader Sally Turner and Senator Chris Balkema for a Capitol press conference, where we highlighted a package of legislation aimed at providing property tax relief, improving transparency, modernizing outdated processes, and helping Illinois seniors remain in their homes.
Our legislative package includes reforms focused on renewable energy assessments, senior property tax relief, reducing bureaucratic burdens on seniors, and improving public access to property assessment information.
Specifically, I have filed Senate Bill 3872, the “Free and Clear Senior Homestead Exemption Act,” which would fully exempt qualifying senior citizens from paying property taxes on their primary residence if they own their home free and clear and meet income eligibility requirements.
This legislation is rooted in a simple principle: seniors who spent decades paying off their homes should not spend retirement worrying about losing them because of rising property taxes.
I believe a paid-off home should mean security, stability, and peace of mind. Under the proposal, qualifying seniors age 75 and older with no mortgage, liens, reverse mortgage, or home equity line of credit could receive a full homestead property tax exemption on their primary residence.
Senator Turner’s bill, Senate Bill 2706, seeks to create property tax relief by updating the outdated formula used to assess wind and solar energy projects for property tax purposes. Right now, Illinois uses an outdated formula to determine how wind and solar energy projects are taxed, and her legislation updates those figures to better reflect today’s realities and ensure our tax structure keeps pace with how these industries have grown. It would also help restore balance to the property tax system by ensuring homeowners, farmers, and small businesses are not forced to shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden.
Senator Balkema has two bills in our package. Senate Bill 2701 is common-sense legislation that would eliminate the annual renewal requirement for seniors already receiving the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption. Once a senior qualifies for this exemption, they should not be forced to jump through the same paperwork hoops year after year just to keep it. It’s silly to require these seniors to go to the assessor’s office every year to prove they have not gotten younger over the last year.
Balkema is also sponsoring Senate Bill 3243, which modernizes how counties publish property assessment information by allowing counties to post assessment rolls online in addition to traditional newspaper publication requirements.
You can watch the full press conference by clicking here.
District 32 Area Schools Receive “Safe Routes to School” Grants
Illinois’ Safe Routes to School grant program is a vital investment in student safety and community infrastructure. The program helps local governments improve sidewalks, crosswalks, bike paths, and traffic safety measures, making it safer for children to travel to and from school. In many communities, aging or incomplete infrastructure creates serious risks for students and families. These grants help address those safety concerns while giving parents greater peace of mind.
The program also promotes healthier lifestyles and stronger communities by encouraging students to walk or bike to school safely. In addition to improving safety, these projects can reduce traffic congestion near schools, improve accessibility, and benefit residents of all ages who rely on safe pedestrian infrastructure. The following schools in this area recently received grants:
Woodstock ($250,000)
Mary Endres Elementary School and Northwood Middle School: Installation of new sidewalks along the west side of Illinois Route 47, as well as a refuge island with flashing beacons and overhead lighting at the intersection of Route 47 and St. John’s Road.
Fox Lake ($250,000)
Stanton School: Replacement of a deteriorated sidewalk with a 10-foot-wide multimodal path extending 2,500 feet along Hawthorne Lane