Gillespie appointed to State Housing Task Force

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie was appointed to the State Housing Task Force on Wednesday by Senate President Don Harmon.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to build on the work we’ve done for affordable housing the past few years,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “The lack of access to reasonably-priced units was exacerbated by the pandemic, and we must do all we can to build a more fair and equitable housing market for working families.”

The appointment furthers Senator Gillespie’s commitment to creating long-term solutions for affordable housing across the state. Last year Gillespie passed an affordable housing package that creates incentives in the housing market to create and rehabilitate affordable units, enforces the mandatory affordable housing plan for cities with more than 1,000 residents and changes the way the Cook County Assessor calculates the tax liability for affordable housing complexes.

The State Housing Task Force is led by the Illinois Housing Development Authority and consists of representatives from the Governor’s Office, Lieutenant Governor’s Office, the General Assembly, housing experts and several state agencies.

Gillespie: Seniors to see vehicle registration fee reduced by more than half

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Seniors and people with a disability will soon see their vehicle registration fee significantly reduced thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Ann Gillespie.

“Vehicle registration fees can be a financial burden on seniors with fixed incomes,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “This new law will cut fees by more than half for our seniors and neighbors living with a disability.”

Read more …

Gillespie removes regressive school fees for homeless students

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – A measure offered by State Senator Ann Gillespie to waive school fees for students experiencing homelessness was signed into law on Friday.

“A student’s ability to pay should not determine the learning resources they have available to them,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Students of all backgrounds deserve access to the tools they need for success, and this law ensures that our most vulnerable students will have them.”

Read more …

Northwest Suburban businesses receive $1.9 million with strong support from Gillespie

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Fifty businesses in the Northwest Suburbs were awarded a total of $1.9 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Ann Gillespie.

“Our small business community demonstrated remarkable resilience during the past few years, many finding creative ways to keep their doors open during the pandemic,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Local businesses are deserving of this funding to continue getting back on their feet after these unprecedented times.”

A total of $1.9 million was awarded to 50 businesses in the 27th District. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants – thanks to strong support from Senator Gillespie – to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons, and disproportionately impacted areas.

Due to fiscal responsibility, Illinois saw an increase in funds available to assist small businesses. The state has seen six Illinois’ General Obligation bond rating upgrades in the last year from all three of the nation’s primary credit rating agencies. The latest two-notch upgrade comes from Fitch Ratings, as a result of the state paying down its bill backlog from over $16 billion to less than $3 billion in a course of just a few years.

Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program.