Homeowners can eliminate racist restrictive covenants from their property deeds under new Johnson law

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois homeowners can more quickly, easily and affordably remove racist language from their property deeds under a new law sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

“Racial covenants have held back Black and Brown families for generations, and many residents may not even be aware that the language still lingers in their property deeds,” Johnson said. “Homeowners shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to strike such harmful and antiquated provisions from their property records.”

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Senator Holmes measure will prevent access to animals by those who engage in abuse, cruelty

SPRINGFIELD – An animal abuser has no place in a home with animals. State Senator Linda Holmes’ (D-Aurora) House Bill 168 has been signed into law by the governor, allowing a court to prohibit an animal abuser from owning or living with others who own animals.

“Anyone convicted of felony offenses like torture, mutilation and animal fighting should have no privilege to own or live with an animal for a reasonable period of time,” Holmes said. “Just as some people who are domestic violence perpetrators continue their behavior, animal abusers may have multiple offenses. No animal should be subjected to this cruelty.”

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Connor’s new law increases training requirements for gun-carrying private detectives and security

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) will help prevent potentially fatal accidents by increasing training requirements for private detectives and private security guards who want to carry firearms.

“Private detectives and security guards who want to carry guns need to be properly trained,” Connor said. “They need to know when and how it is appropriate to use deadly force.”

Existing law required security guards to complete 40 hours of basic training to be licensed as private security contractors. Guards employed by corporations were able to carry weapons without completing the required training if the corporation they work for employs five or less armed guards. The new law would require all armed employees to complete the training and creates even more stringent training requirements for private detectives and private security contractors.

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Gillespie TIF transparency measure signed into law

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – To ensure that tax increment financing (TIF) dollars are used responsibly, a plan introduced by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) that expands required reporting by municipalities to the Illinois Comptroller was signed into law.

“Taxpayers deserve to know exactly how TIF developments could affect their property taxes,” Gillespie said. “Our plan will keep developers and local governments honest, and create a transparent process that shows residents whether goals are being met.”

TIF districts are a tool used by municipal governments to stimulate economic development in targeted areas. The new law requires more consistent, measurable data on the success of the TIF project by expanding what local governments must report annually to the Comptroller’s Office. Expanded reporting requirements include projected and actual job creation, and projected and actual increment. The legislation also requires the report to be verified by a neutral third party.

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