Martwick: Our property tax system needs to be reevaluated
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SPRINGFIELD — Under a measure from State Senator Robert Martwick, the property tax system in Illinois would face review by the Department of Revenue.
“Taxpayers all across the state of Illinois are aware that the property tax system needs to be reformed,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “This bill represents an acknowledgement that our property tax system needs to be reevaluated and the best reforms can only be achieved by instituting best practices, which will be identified by this study.”
Martwick’s measure would commission the Department of Revenue, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating the entire property tax system in the state. During the study, IDOR would examine whether the existing property tax levy, assessment, appeal and collection process is reasonable and fair, and issue recommendations for improvement.
Read more: Martwick: Our property tax system needs to be reevaluated
Turner measure to protect university, community college employees heads to the House
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SPRINGFIELD – To protect university and community college employees, State Senator Doris Turner passed a measure that would ensure employees receive their pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a winter weather emergency.
“Some employees are left without pay when we get hit with a winter storm,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This initiative protects the workers who play an important role in the normal, day-to-day operations for universities and community colleges.”
Senate Bill 331 would require the Board of Trustees of each public university and community college to pay employees their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a city, county or state declaration of a winter weather emergency. The measure would not apply if the day is rescheduled and the employee would be paid their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits for the rescheduled day when services are rendered.
Read more: Turner measure to protect university, community college employees heads to the House
Fine legislation to increase patient safety at mental health facilities passes the Senate
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SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to increase patient safety at state run mental health or developmental disability facilities, State Senator Laura Fine passed Senate Bill 857. This legislation increases the Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) ability to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect.
“Since 2022, I have visited state-operated mental health and developmental disability facilities across the state to receive feedback and ideas on how we can protect our state's most vulnerable residents,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This measure continues that effort by giving the OIG additional tools needed to effectively prevent and deter abuse and neglect.”
Under current law, the Illinois Department of Human Services OIG is required to conduct annual unannounced site visits to all 14 state-operated facilities related to preventing, reporting, investigating and responding to abuse and neglect. Senate Bill 857 expands this preventative measure to give the OIG the ability to conduct targeted site visits to all community agencies in the state, which includes Community Living Arrangements (CILA) and Community Mental Health Centers.
Read more: Fine legislation to increase patient safety at mental health facilities passes the Senate
Turner measure protecting the public’s safety in an emergency passes the Senate
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner led a measure through the Senate that would increase public safety by suspending EMS professionals who have been charged with a crime while performing their duties.
“EMS professionals who cause harm to the public need to be held accountable,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Public safety has to be at the forefront of our priorities, especially during an emergency.”
Senate Bill 3134 would allow the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, or their designee, to determine if the suspension of an EMS professional should extend statewide. This would apply in situations when an EMS professional has been charged with a crime while performing their official duties and continuing to practice poses the possibility of harm to the public.
Read more: Turner measure protecting the public’s safety in an emergency passes the Senate
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