Gillespie: Illinois is making a promise to stand with working people

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement after Gov. Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“Gov. Pritzker’s emphasis on early childhood education and job creation sets the bar for legislators to build an economy that allows working people to succeed. I am committed to doing all I can in the Senate to pass the initiatives needed to build that framework.

“By investing in early education and job creation, Illinois is making a promise to working people that we will stand with them their entire lives and help them succeed.

“I was heartened to hear the governor call for meaningful ethics reform. The bipartisan commission on ethics will make recommendations later this year and I am looking forward to working with them and the governor to clean up Springfield.

Gillespie announces over $1.5 million investment in local parks

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Four local park districts will receive extra help from the state for improvement projects, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) announced today.

“Our local park departments work hard to manage the facilities that offer residents an active and healthy lifestyle,” Gillespie said. “These grants will help them continue their work without burdening local taxpayers.”

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Six local schools to receive state library grants

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – The Illinois Secretary of State’s School Library Grant program will award six local school districts over $33,000 in state funds, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) announced today.

“Developing a love of reading and strong reading skills is one of the most beneficial investments we can make in education,” Gillespie said. “Keeping school libraries up to date with contemporary literature will help young students find books they enjoy and have positive effects on their educational career.”

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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.