Stadelman measure to reclaim blighted properties becomes law
Legislation sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman to help cities and counties address blighted properties has been signed into law by the governor.
“Blighted properties don’t just affect the lots next door. They damage the value of all homes on the block,” Stadelman said. “Giving our local governments the tools to fight against these properties will help revitalize our communities. This measure provides solutions that will help local governments tackle these issues and begin the restoration process in our communities.”
Senate Bill 1721, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2022, will:
- reduce abandoned and neglected homes by helping municipalities intervene earlier through the court system to save the properties;
- allow municipalities and counties to partner with land banks to maintain and manage vacant buildings so they can be saved; and
- help people stay in their homes by reducing the cap on interest rates on unpaid property taxes.
“Senator Stadelman recognizes the impact that blighted properties have in Rockford, and I appreciate all of his work in Springfield to help mitigate this issue,” Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said. “Blighted properties decrease home values, drive away investment and are havens for criminal activity. This bill makes it easier for municipalities to intercept dilapidated properties before they are beyond repair so that they can be rehabilitated and placed back on the tax rolls. My administration has taken aggressive action to strengthen our neighborhoods, and this bill we be a tremendous tool that can help the city in this work.”
Stadelman bill requires referendum funds be spent on mental health, treatment for substance abuse treatment
The governor has signed legislation sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman to ensure local sales tax revenue approved by Winnebago County voters is used for mental health and substance abuse resources.
“The voters spoke. They said they want this money to go towards mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. I want to ensure it does,” Stadelman said.
In March 2020, Winnebago County residents passed a referendum that increased the county’s sales tax rate. Additional revenue is meant to go to community-based mental health and substance abuse resources and support. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Senate Bill 2278 will require counties that have approved this sales tax referendum to create seven-member boards made up of health advocates and professionals to help administer the funding produced by the referendum, as taxpayers intended.
Winnebago County expects to see up to $14 million in additional revenue a year for these programs.
“This legislation eliminates barriers to mental health and substance abuse treatment by supporting private sector and non-profit alternatives to handling these public health crises," said David Gill, President of the National Alliance on Mental Illiness - Northern Illinois. "It does so by creating a greater number of access points to treatment. It allows counties to gap-fill specific services and shape mental health and substance abuse treatment according to the needs of the community, rather than through an arbitrary statewide mandate that will help the communities most in need."
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