Friend,
I hope you are doing well! Tomorrow, the Illinois Senate will return to Springfield this week as lawmakers continue their work for the spring legislative session. The Senate is scheduled to be in session for three of the four weeks in February, with committee hearings and floor action increasing as legislation moves forward!
Topics below include:
- Take Control of Your Property Taxes
- Religious Protections in Schools Bill
- Illinois Sees Third-Worst Loss of Residents to Other States
- How do Sales Taxes Compare in Your State?
- Illinois Still Hasn’t Opted into Federal Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Valentines for Seniors Card Drive
Take Control of Your Property Taxes
To help you navigate the often confusing and intimidating process of appealing your property taxes, I’ve created this Property Tax Appeal Presentation. Its purpose is to provide clear guidance, practical tips, and the confidence you need to act.
Property taxes can feel overwhelming, and many homeowners don’t realize they have the right to challenge an assessment. This presentation is intended to break the process down into simple, manageable steps so you can better understand your options. Please feel free to reply to this note with questions or observations.
You can view the property tax presentation here.
Senator Balkema Filed SB 2821 – Religious Protections in Schools Bill
I filed legislation, SB 2821, that strengthens parental rights and increases transparency in public education by aligning Illinois law with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor.
This bill would require public schools to publish curriculum information online so parents can clearly see what their children are being taught. It also ensures parents have the ability to opt their child out of lessons that conflict with their sincerely held religious beliefs.
In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that schools must provide notice and opt-out options when curriculum substantially burdens a parent’s right to raise their child according to their religious beliefs. This legislation brings Illinois policy in line with that constitutional standard while continuing to support quality education for all students.
This is about supporting families, increasing transparency, and making sure parents remain involved in their child’s education.
Illinois Sees Third-Worst Loss of Residents to Other States
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates show that Illinois continues to lose residents to other states at one of the highest rates in the nation. Between mid-2024 and mid-2025, more than 40,000 Illinois residents moved out of state, making Illinois the third-highest state for domestic population loss—behind only California and New York.
Census data further indicates that Illinois’s limited population growth during this period was driven solely by international migration. Without this influx, the state’s population would have continued to decline, as natural growth remained minimal and thousands of residents chose to leave.
Experts and prior surveys consistently identify high taxes as a key driver of this out-migration. Census and IRS data show that many departing residents relocate to states with lower tax burdens, while Illinois continues to rank among the highest in the nation for combined state and local taxes.
To reverse this trend, I am leading efforts to address affordability, rein in taxes, and advance policies that make it easier for families to stay, work, and build their futures in Illinois.
How do Sales Taxes Compare in Your State?
Retail sales taxes represent a significant and stable source of revenue for most states, accounting for approximately one quarter of total combined state and local tax collections. Compared to income taxes, sales taxes are generally considered more growth-oriented because they tend to create fewer distortions in workforce participation, investment decisions, and overall economic activity.
According to Illinois Policy, Illinois’ average combined state and local sales tax is around 8.8%–8.9%, which is among the higher rates nationally and often highest in the Midwest.
The Tax Foundation just recently published an article on the state and local sales tax rates.
Illinois Still Hasn’t Opted into Federal Scholarship Program
Illinois has yet to join a new federal tax-credit scholarship program that would expand educational options for families without using state or local education dollars. The program allows individuals to receive a federal tax credit when they donate to scholarship organizations that help students pay for private school tuition or cover education-related costs, such as tutoring or after-school programs.
Supporters say the program is unique because it does not divert funding from public schools and does not impact the state budget. Scholarships are funded entirely through voluntary private donations, and participation simply requires the state to opt in. More than two dozen states have already chosen to participate.
Governor Pritzker has said he is still evaluating whether Illinois will join the program. Critics argue the delay leaves families with fewer options, especially after Illinois ended its own scholarship program in 2023, which had helped thousands of students access alternative education opportunities.
The federal scholarship program offers families more flexibility without taking resources away from public schools. I believe opting in would give parents additional options while protecting classroom funding and respecting the role of local schools.
Here you can take a look at how 2026 state and local sales tax rates compare across the US.
Scholarship Opportunities!
Township Officials of Illinois Scholarship
Deadline: March 2, 2026
Apply and learn more here.
Illinois Retail Challenge Scholarship Competition
Deadline: March 30, 2026
Apply and learn more here.
Illinois Conservation Foundation Conservation Achievement Scholarships
Deadline: March 1, 2026
Apply and learn more here.
Reminder! Valentines for Seniors Card Drive
It is not too late to send in valentines so seniors across the district feel loved and not alone! All details: VALENTINES FOR SENIORS CARD DRIVE – Chris Balkema