SPRINGFIELD – To help working families, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate to encourage the development of affordable housing units.

“We need a long-term strategy for affordable housing,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Creating incentives in the housing market will produce better options and more stable lives for working families across the state.”

House Bill 2621 combines measures from affordable housing initiatives introduced this year by Senators Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) and Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). It creates incentives in the housing market for affordable housing units, enforces the mandatory affordable housing plan for cities with at least 1,000 residents and changes how the Cook County Assessor’s office calculates the tax liability for affordable housing complexes.

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SPRINGFIELD – As classes resume in-person, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation to ban the abuse of students with restraints and seclusion rooms in schools.

“This legislation protects all students, particularly the most vulnerable, from these harmful practices,” Gillespie said. “I am grateful to all our partners that put in years-long work to keep students safe.”

Current law allows school staff to isolate a student if they pose a danger to themselves or others. However, a Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois investigation revealed that isolation rooms are often used as a punishment for refusing to do classwork, swearing and other behavior that does not pose a threat to safety.

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SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that tax increment financing (TIF) dollars are used responsibly, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate that would expand the required reporting by municipalities to the Illinois Comptroller.

“Requiring measurable data from local governments will provide taxpayers with a better understanding of how TIF developments could affect their property taxes,” Gillespie said. “Our plan will create a transparent process that delivers opportunity while keeping our local governments honest.”

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SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that tax increment financing (TIF) dollars are used responsibly, State Senator Ann Gillespie passed legislation in the Senate Revenue Committee that would expand the required reporting by municipalities to the Illinois Comptroller.

“Most residents don’t know how TIF districts affect their property taxes or benefit the community,” Gillespie said. “This plan will shed light on the process and provide transparency in our local governments.”

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