More property tax relief coming for Harlem schools

State Senator Steve Stadelman announced today that Harlem Unit District 122 has received the Illinois State Board of Education Property Tax Relief Grant. The grant gives school districts with high tax rates an opportunity to lower taxes on local property owners with the state replacing the lost tax revenue. Harlem's grant amount will be determined in future District 122 calculations.

“This is another positive step forward in bringing long-term property tax relief to the people of Loves Park and Machesney Park,” Stadelman said. “Property taxes have been – and continue to be – an important issue that needs to be further addressed in the Rockford area, which is why I am pleased to see this grant awarded to Harlem schools.”

More information on the Property Tax Relief Grant and a listing of each eligible school district can be found at www.ISBE.net/proptaxrelief.

Stadelman supports governor's commitment to ethics reform

Following Gov. JB Pritzker’s delivery of the annual State of the State address this week in Springfield, Senator Stadelman issued this statement:

“The governor laid out a number of proposals that are steps in the right direction. I’m happy to hear that he plans to move forward with ideas from both parties to reduce property taxes. I’m also looking forward to working with the governor on ethics reform that will help restore trust in state government.”

Stadelman also released a video sharing this thoughts on the governor's speech.

Unpaid parking tickets, civil fines will no longer cost drivers their licenses

Tens of thousands of Illinois motorists who lost driving privleges because of unpaid parking tickets or fines for other non-moving violations soon will get their drivers' lienceses reinstated. Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1786, which repeals existing laws that either required or allowed the Illinois Secretary of State to suspend driving privileges for unpaid fines and other violations.

State Senator Steve Stadelman voted to pass the "License to Work Act” in March 2019, but the Illinois House didn't approve until late October during the fall veto session. The repeal goes into effect July 1.

"I've always believed in common-sense legislation," Stadelman said. "If people can't get to work, they're less likely to be able to pay their debt, not to mention buy groceries for their children or see a doctor."

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 Thank you to the 140 soldiers of the Illinois National Guard's 135th Chemical Company who are being mobilized for service overseas. And thanks to their loved ones who will have to take over responsibilities while they're gone. Governor JB Pritzker addressed the unit during a mobilization ceremony at Harlem Middle School.