Overwhelming Support for Property Tax Relief Through School Funding Reform
Last week, I asked if you would support a shift toward more Illinois school funding coming from centralized state funds, rather than local property taxes. An overwhelming 87% of you said yes — and I agree.
Relying so heavily on property taxes to fund our schools has created serious inequities and placed a growing burden on families. That’s why I’m committed to exploring solutions that bring greater fairness to the system, including increasing state support for education to reduce pressure on local taxpayers. As I continue working on property tax reform, I’ll keep fighting for policies that ease the financial strain on homeowners while protecting the quality of our schools. Bottom line… we need lower property taxes. Thank you for sharing your input — your voice truly matters
Senate Republicans Continue Calls on Governor to Veto SB 328
This week, we again urged Governor J.B. Pritzker to veto Senate Bill 328, a controversial proposal that would cement Illinois’ status as a judicial hellhole, increasing the burden on job creators and working families.
Senate Bill 328 would allow out-of-state plaintiffs to sue out-of-state businesses in Illinois courts, even when the cases have no connection to the state, simply because the business is registered in Illinois. This radical shift would flood the courts with out-of-state cases, slow down justice for Illinoisans, and saddle employers with skyrocketing legal costs.
These concerns were only compounded by how the legislation was originally passed. Rather than correcting a technical error in the original bill, Democrat lawmakers used a procedural maneuver known as gut and replace. This tactic allowed them to swap out the contents of an unrelated bill just hours before the end of session, avoiding the Illinois Constitution’s Three Readings Rule and limiting public input.
In response, my colleagues and I have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the bill’s passage. That case is currently moving forward in Sangamon County Court, with oral arguments expected in August.
Governor Pritzker has until August 29 to veto Senate Bill 328. If he takes no action, the bill will automatically become law. We are urging the governor to stand for transparency and reject legislation that places special interests above the needs of Illinois families.
Sign my petition here to tell Governor Pritzker to veto SB 328 and stand up for fairness, transparency, and Illinois families.
Illinois Faces Costly SNAP Penalties
Republican lawmakers are calling for increased transparency after recent reports have emerged showing Illinois could owe the federal government over $700 million annually due to high error rates in its administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to help supplement their grocery budgets. However, Illinois has recently been found to have one of the highest error rates in the country, currently ranking worse than 38 other states in payment accuracy.
Federal law now requires states with error rates above 10 percent to repay 15 percent of total SNAP benefits. Illinois’ rate hit 11.56 percent in fiscal year 2024, one of the highest in the nation, according to USDA data.
I am calling for increased transparency and urging the Administration to take immediate action to fix the errors and stop the fraud and abuse in the SNAP program.
Thank You for Joining Our Live Townhall!
I appreciate you taking the time to tune in, ask thoughtful questions, and stay engaged in the legislative process. Your input helps guide the work we do in Springfield.
If we didn’t get to your question — or if you thought of another one afterward — please don’t hesitate to contact my office. We’re here to help.
Missed the live stream? You can still watch the full video on our Facebook page!
Seniors, you’re invited to my Senior Expo Events!
I am co-hosting two Senior Expos filled with free resources, health screenings, and helpful services — and you’re encouraged to attend whichever date works best for you!
Monday, August 4 | 9–11 AM
Saratoga Elementary School, Morris
Along with Senators Sue Rezin, Representatives Jed Davis, and Jason R. Bunting
Wednesday, August 6 | 9 AM–12 PM
Pontiac Parks & Rec Center, Pontiac
Along with Representative Dennis Tipsword
From I-Cash claiming to veteran support, assisted living info, and more — don’t miss out! Come grab some refreshments and connect with over 30 helpful organizations. View more details here: https://www.senatorchrisbalkema.com/events/
