Kane County Reporter

Illinois state lawmakers face a pressing deadline as they work to pass substantive bills out of committee by Friday, March 21. Senator DeWitte anticipates long days at the Capitol as he presents bills before the Local Government and Judiciary Committees. With over 2,000 Senate Bills and 4,000 House Bills filed since January, many are unlikely to advance before the deadline. Lawmakers can request extensions for legislation not called before March 21, but historically it becomes more challenging to pass such bills into law.

In another development, Illinois has been identified as the highest-taxed state in the nation according to WalletHub's annual study on state tax rates. The report places Illinois last overall among all states and the District of Columbia in terms of tax burden. Real estate taxes rank second only to New Jersey, while income taxes rank 47th. The study highlights that Illinois' taxes are significantly higher than the national average.

Senator DeWitte is also hosting an ICASH Unclaimed Property event in St. Charles with State Representative Dan Ugaste on Wednesday, March 26. Residents can meet with counselors from the Illinois Treasurer’s Office to check for unclaimed property or cash.

Controversy surrounds House Bill 3458 which could allow mental health crises as a defense for assaulting police officers. Opponents argue it may embolden criminals and make law enforcement jobs riskier. Senate Republicans call for reevaluation of this proposal.

House Bill 2827, known as the Homeschool Act, has sparked widespread attention due to its proposed mandates on homeschooling families. It requires parents to meet educational qualifications and notify school districts when homeschooling begins. The bill has faced significant opposition from homeschool families lobbying against it.

Finally, funds remain available in the Volunteer Emergency Worker Tax Credit Fund created in 2023 to support volunteer firefighters with up to $500 credit towards their income tax liability.