Skip Navigation Links

Rep. Tom Bennett's Weekly Update

Monday, May 18, 2015 - Posted 6:15:59 PM by State Rep Tom Bennett

Update from the Capitol 5/18/15

 

Trick Bag; No Property Tax Relief in Sight

 

Once again last week, the Speaker of the House brought sham legislation to a vote for the sole purpose of trying to put Republican lawmakers in a trick bag and embarrass the new Governor.

 

Providing families with real property tax relief is something I and my Republican colleagues are very passionate about.  House Republicans introduce legislation that would deliver property tax relief and each year the Democrats block those measures. For years, the real roadblock to property tax relief has been the Democrat-controlled General Assembly. This past week, out of the clear blue sky, Democrats however called for an immediate vote on so-called property tax freeze legislation that neither includes reforms nor guarantees that property taxes won't increase (so no freeze).  Unfortunately, it's clear that this is just more political theatre. I voted "present" to protest the ongoing games.

 

After being sworn into office, Governor Rauner took action to address high property taxes. He assembled a bipartisan working group to look holistically at thoughtful reforms that would provide meaningful property tax relief without strangling schools and local governments. The group is considering unfunded mandates, pensions and other factors impacting costs that keep property taxes high. Once the working group completes its assessment, it will bring recommendations to the proper committee for a full hearing – provided the Democrat leadership permits it to get that far.

 

Sham Hearings Continue - This Time on Right to Work

 

In another move that can only be described as political theatre, Speaker Madigan last week also brought to the House his own version of Right to Work legislation, dropping the language a few short hours before calling for a vote.  This is yet another un-negotiated proposal that forced Republicans to unite in protest.

 

The right-to-work vote follows two weeks of "hearings" on billions of dollars and hundreds of pages of budget bills that did not go through the committee process, worker's compensation reforms that did not go through the committee process, and tort reforms that did not go through the committee process.  I believe the working men and women of Illinois deserve better than this charade. 

 

 

Another Deadline Week

 

As the General Assembly continues to move towards May 31 adjournment, members of the Illinois House and Senate scrambled to get committee approval for their bills this week.  This coming Friday, May 22nd, will be the deadline for Senate bills on the House floor. 

 

By May 22nd, most Senate bills will either have been passed by the House and sent to the Governor for final signature, passed by the House as amended and sent back to the Senate for concurrence, or will have been sent to the House Rules Committee for failure to meet the deadline. The deadline for the Senate to pass bills sent to them by the House is also this Friday.

 

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month

 

The month of May is now officially Motorcycle Awareness Month in Illinois. I was proud to co-sponsor the Motorcycle Awareness resolution with my friend and colleague Representative Mike Unes .

 

Currently there are close to 700,000 licensed motorcyclists here in Illinois. Members of ABATE have for nearly 30 years promoted motorcycle safety, education and awareness in high school drivers' education programs and through public programs and presentations.  Officially designating May as Motorcycle Awareness Month recognizes their dedication, and also helps remind us all to be aware when we're behind the wheel and watch for motorcycles.