Gillespie cuts red tape, saves seniors on property taxes

CHICAGO – Seniors will no longer have to continually reapply for a property tax break under a measure passed by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) this week.

“Reapplying for the homestead exemption every year can be a long, confusing process for many seniors,” Gillespie said. “We are cutting bureaucratic red tape so that seniors won’t be bogged down with tedious paperwork any longer.”

The Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption saves approximately 250,000 Cook County seniors up to $8,000 on their property taxes. With this measure, homeowners 65 and older will be automatically reapproved after applying once more for 2020. Cook County is the only county in the state that does not automatically reapprove qualifying seniors.

House Bill 961 passed with unanimous, bipartisan support in both chambers and is effective immediately.

Lawmakers seek answers to abuse of seclusion rooms in schools

CHICAGO – Members of the joint bipartisan Illinois Senate and House Education Committees met Tuesday to examine the abuse of seclusion rooms in public schools.

State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) introduced Senate Bill 2315 to ban the use of these rooms as a punitive measure.

“We must end the abusive practice of de facto solitary confinement and improper use of restraints,” Gillespie said. “At the same time we must meet the unique needs of students, honor their dignity and ensure a safe environment for all. This is the needle we must thread with our legislation, and I look forward to working closely with all the stakeholders to achieve immediate and sustainable changes to the culture and practices in our schools.”

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Plan to ban solitary confinement in schools to have first public hearing

WHO: State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights), State Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook)
WHAT: Senate Education Committee Joint Hearing with the House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee on SB 2315 and HB 3975
WHEN: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2019
WHERE: Room C600, Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60601

CHICAGO – State Senator Ann Gillespie and State Rep. Jonathan Carroll will attend a subject matter hearing on their legislation to ban the use of de facto solitary confinement as a form of punishment in public schools at 11 a.m. on Jan. 7, 2020 in Room C600 of the Michael A. Bilandic Building.

“Students, parents and educators must have a voice as we determine how to prevent this from being abused,” Gillespie said. “The changes we make must be informed by students who need seclusion rooms and the teachers and paraprofessionals that work with them.”

Gillespie and Carroll filed Senate Bill 2315 and House Bill 3975 respectively in response to an investigation by ProPublica Illinois and Chicago Tribune that revealed instances of isolation rooms being used under circumstances that violated state law and ISBE rules.

Gillespie holding Abraham Lincoln essay contest for local students

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are holding an essay contest for students in the 27th Senate District to showcase their writing abilities and knowledge of American history.

There are two essay prompts for different grade levels.

4th and 5th Graders must answer the question "What is Abraham Lincoln’s greatest accomplishment and how is it relevant today?" (3 page max.)

7th and 8th Graders are asked to answer the question "What lessons learned from Lincoln's life and public service can be applied to government and politics today?" (5 page max.)

Essays can be submitted to Senator Gillespie’s district office or electronically at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Jan. 27, 2020. All submissions should include the student’s name, school, home address, and the best contact information for their parents.

Winners will be announced on Lincoln’s 211th birthday on Feb. 12, 2020. The winning author from each age group will receive a certificate from the Illinois Senate, free admission to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the opportunity to be Senator Gillespie’s page for a day on the Senate floor in Springfield.