* Crain’s…
Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, is sponsoring two bills that would place restrictions on the use of AI in online therapy services as well as AI use in decision-making processes that determine a person’s health insurance coverage, Capitol News Illinois reports.
One of Morgan’s sponsored bills — House Bill 1806, which deals with the use of AI in online mental health services — passed unanimously out of the House Health Care Licensing Committee on Wednesday.
Morgan’s other AI-related bill, House Bill 35, would change the way health insurance providers use AI to make decisions about customers’ coverage. The bill passed out of the House Insurance Committee on an 11-6 vote on Tuesday. Crain’s previously reported on the bill when Morgan introduced it late last year. Read more here.
* Johnathon Bush in the Sun-Times…
The overwhelming majority of people in Illinois who are already eligible to have their records sealed struggle to navigate a petition process that can be complex, confusing and costly. The result is most eligible individuals don’t even try. Those who do make an attempt often experience backlogs and long timelines at the court level because of the strain the current process places on local courts.
Fortunately, during the 2025 legislative session, Illinois lawmakers will have the opportunity to improve our “clean slate” policies with legislation that would eliminate our petition-based system and replace it with an automated process.
Those who qualify would include people who were arrested but never convicted of a crime and those with misdemeanor convictions who completed their sentence two years prior. Even individuals with felony convictions could have their records sealed automatically once three years have passed after finishing their sentence. […]
This sort of legislative update is overwhelmingly supported by small business owners, 85% of whom agree that clean slate policies would benefit small businesses in their efforts to hire and recruit employees, according to research by Small Business Majority.
* Illinois House Republicans…
Illinois House Republican lawmakers unveiled their legislative bill package to deliver property tax relief to residents across the state. Assistant Minority Leader Dan Ugaste (Geneva) and State Representatives Joe Sosnowski (Rockford) and Tom Weber (Fox Lake) discussed the impact that high property taxes have had on Illinois, and the Democratic majority’s inaction and refusal to provide relief.
Illinois has some of the highest property taxes in the country and has seen residents fleeing to states with friendlier tax environments. House Republican lawmakers are fighting to stop the reckless neglect of taxpayers and bring down property taxes, including the following measures:
- HB 0009 – Ugaste- Property Tax Relief
- HB 1321- Ugaste- Tax District Surplus
- HB 1746- Sosnowski- Homestead Exemption
- HB 2543- Sosnowski- Taxpayer Empowerment
- HB 3723- Sosnowski- Senior Exemption
- HB 3724- Sosnowski- General Homestead
- HB 4010- Weber- Property Tax Extensions
- HB 4011- Weber- Assessment Limit
Representative Dan Ugaste has been a vocal advocate for property tax relief, especially as a means to deliver organic growth in local communities.
“High property taxes are crushing Illinois families,” stated Rep. Ugaste. “The situation is not getting any better, and the latest studies show we pay the second-highest property taxes in the nation. House Republicans have introduced a number of bills and have solutions that can provide property tax relief, and it’s time for those proposals to be considered.
A few weeks ago, Governor JB Pritzker released his annual budget proposal, which spends $2 billion more than the previous fiscal year and lacks any meaningful reform to help seniors, families, and business from the crushing weight of property taxes.
Representative Weber noted that the current budget proposal shows just how out-of-touch the Democratic majority is with the everyday Illinoisan and pointed to the totally ineffective 2019 Property Tax Relief Tax Force as proof.
“Years of reckless spending and unbalanced budgets have led the majority party to endlessly drive up property taxes with no end in sight, and many Illinoisans simply cannot afford them,” said Rep. Weber. “Our caucus is committed to alleviating this strain by improving existing exemptions, capping year-over-year tax increases, and returning surplus revenue back to taxpayers in our state. By reducing the property tax burden placed on folks here in Illinois, we will create an environment where working families can not only get by, but thrive.”
Representative Joe Sosnowski’s legislation intends to help hard-pressed Illinois homeowners and families, particularly seniors on fixed incomes.
“Working families and homeowners need property tax relief, particularly seniors on fixed incomes,” said Rep. Sosnowski. “We have filed legislation to deliver relief and help reverse the outmigration of people leaving Illinois because of the increasing tax burden. If we compare ourselves to other states in the Midwest, if Illinois grew at the same rate as Indiana, Wisconsin, and Missouri we would have over a million more residents living in our state just over the last 10 years. When we lose people, it erodes the local tax base that supports schools and other vital services that families rely on. Property tax relief would have a direct positive impact on bringing people, jobs, and opportunity back to Illinois.”
* WAND…
State representatives hope to create a more equitable system for incarcerated people with disabilities to have education and job opportunities.
Anyone entering the Illinois prison system is required to take the Test of Adult Basic Education, or TABE. Although, experts believe the test does not adequately accommodate the unique cognitive and learning needs of people with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
House Bill 1810 would allow incarcerated Illinoisans with intellectual or developmental disabilities to have a waiver for the test and ensure equal access to sentence credit opportunities. […]
House Bill 1810 passed out of the House Restorative Justice Committee on a partisan 7-3 vote Thursday. State representatives could vote on the plan when they return to session next week.
* Patch…
State Representative Nicole La Ha has shared that HB1788, which she introduced to promote greater accessibility in outdoor spaces, has successfully passed out of committee, according to a news release from her office.
“Accessibility is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Rep. La Ha. “Our parks, trails, and recreational spaces should be places where all people, regardless of ability, feel welcome and included. With this bill, we are hoping to inspire more communities to build universally accessible parks that go above ADA bare requirements. This bill is a step toward making that a reality, ensuring that Illinois leads by example in prioritizing access.”
If enacted, HB1788 would amend the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act to prioritize projects that exceed the standards set by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, according to a release. The bill encourages the use of innovative designs, materials and technologies that enhance accessibility and usability for everyone.
A key element of this legislation is its emphasis on universal park and playground design, which ensures full access for all children, regardless of ability.
Unlike traditional accessible playgrounds that meet minimum requirements, universal playgrounds encourage meaningful interactions between children of all abilities, creating a sense of community and shared experiences, according to a release from La Ha’s office.
* WQAD…
An Illinois bill introduced by a local lawmaker would prohibit health insurance companies from charging a copay for sexual assault exams.
Illinois House Republican Leader Rep. Tony McCombie of Savanna introduced HB2805 early last month. Since then, it has received bipartisan support, including from Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside. It passed through the Insurance Committee earlier this week and is on the House floor debate calendar for Thursday.
The bill would amend the Illinois Insurance Code to ensure that victims of sexual assault do not face cost-sharing requirements (i.e. copayments) for medical examinations and testing related to their assault. […]
The only exception is if the coverage “would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account under the Internal Revenue Code,” the bill reads.
* WAND…
Illinois judges are required to consider a person’s youth during sentencing, yet many people are serving life sentences without parole because they were sentenced before state law changed in 2012.
A new proposal in Springfield could allow people who were convicted of felonies while 21 or younger to petition for a new hearing before a judge.
Sponsors and advocates said this change could help 50 to 100 prisoners receive a constitutional sentencing hearing. […]
House Bill 1858 passed out of the House Restorative Justice Committee on a partisan 7-3 vote. The legislation will now head to the House floor for further consideration.
- Anyone Remember - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 9:10 am:
Property Tax Exemptions raise property taxes for those without exemptions. Stop.
- Steve Polite - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 9:22 am:
“Property Tax Exemptions raise property taxes for those without exemptions.”
Agreed! Instead of increasing exemptions and reducing the tax base, maybe come up with ways to help local governments pay for the services their property taxes cover thereby reducing property taxes. Increasing exemptions, either by adding new groups or lowering the amounts paid, is not a long term solution: it only exacerbates the problem.
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 9:39 am:
=HB1321 - Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that no taxing district may hold more than 150% of the previous levy year’s property tax collections in cash or cash-equivalent assets=
I do think limiting excess reserves is a good idea - it begs a valid question that taxpayers may have which is “Why are you levying so much when you’re sitting on excess reserves” there is a huge problem with certain taxing bodies having humongous reserves - if you don’t believe me check the State comptrollers Local Government Warehouse data page and look up “fund balance”. The bill needs some work though as there are occasions when taxing districts may prudenly have more than 150% fund balances like just before a big capital project or - immediately after a bond issuance. Do some work maybe look at a three-year average fund balance before there is a surrender of excess
LOCAL GOVERNMENT WAREHOUSE
https://illinoiscomptroller.gov/constituent-services/local-government/local-government-warehouse
- Demoralized - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 9:46 am:
==have led the majority party to endlessly drive up property taxes==
The state doesn’t set property taxes. If you’ve got a problem talk to your local officials. Also, you start cutting property taxes you do know that state taxes are going to have to make up that revenue right? If you cut property taxes and reduce the revenue to schools who do you think is going to have to make that up?
- H-W - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 10:18 am:
I absolutely support the clean slate legislation. Many young adults (e.g., college students) do stupid stuff, get caught, and then make reparations and restitution. If they have not done anything foolish since, there is no justification for keeping them tethered to the legal system.
I also believe we need to work with media services. Local news services are quick to post arrests, and then never remove the link. Keeping a permanent record accessible online when in many cases, those arrests records do not match the courts’ dispositions is in some ways, dishonest. Some cases do not result in serious convictions, or in some cases are dismissed.
Young adults deserve forgiveness as the mature into true adulthood.
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 10:24 am:
Thank you, Rep. Morgan, for taking on AI.
It mystifies me how much some business, medical, and legal professionals want to push AI adoption on everyone when AI still isn’t that good yet and there are so many possible ethical lapses and personal information breaches that could come from letting a third-party computer program make decisions about people’s lives and healthcare, and have access to sensitive financial information or information that may be privileged by HIPAA or the subject of a court’s protective order.
AI does not need to be in everything and in many cases it is bad if an unaccountable, non-human AI program has a role at all.
- JS Mill - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 10:38 am:
What at Steve Polite and @Demoralized stated +1.
Instead of the performative “taxes are too high” stuff how about an actual solution? Maybe do something at the state level rather than trying to handcuff other locally elected governments?
- froganon - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 10:39 am:
Insurance companies already employ people who are trained to say no. I have every confidence that they will set up their AI programs to do the same. There should be a penalty for denials that are later reversed along with images for delayed treatment. The appeal process should take days not months.
- 51st Ward - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 12:00 pm:
Wait… IL Dems want to transition the expungement process from petition-based to automatic, but HB 1858 is going to require youth offenders to petition?
Can we reconcile that discrepancy?
- JS Mill - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 12:13 pm:
= I do think limiting excess reserves is a good idea - it begs a valid question that taxpayers may have which is “Why are you levying so much when you’re sitting on excess reserves” there is a huge problem with certain taxing bodies having humongous reserves -=
You must be new to Illinois. Aside from the current administration, we have never been able to depend on state funding reliability. THAT and PTELL are the two reasons schools don’t lower their lady and establish sizable fund balances. It also allows schools to pay for projects without bonding which actually saves taxpayers money in interest not paid and avoiding building replacement. Instead of asking schools some would just do the performative stuff.
And 150% of annual budget isn’t large or even “humongous”. If you knew anything about school finance at least.
- JB13 - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 12:14 pm:
Re property taxes -
A quick and easy, no-brainer way of delivering immediate property tax relief would be to increase the homestead exemption to account for inflation.
There is no reason in 2025 the homestead exemption should remain unchanged when we have endured massive inflation since 2022. If our assessed values can increase annually, and our gas taxes have been tied to inflation, so too our homestead exemptions should be adjusted to account for the changes, as well.
Lawmakers who disagree aren’t really serious about property tax fairness.
- Facts Matter - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 1:16 pm:
There are some problems with the Republican property tax bills.
HB 3724 caps the Total Bill for property for which the homestead exemption is claimed at 103% of last year’s bill. seems to be inconsistent. It provides that if property owners’ liabilities are reduced, the disbursements to the taxing bodies are reduced. However, in the next sentence it provides that the Chief County Assessment Officer can reallocate (the reduced taxes?) to other property in the district. Unless I’m misreading the language, the two provisions are inconsistent. If the reallocation provision controls, the increases in property taxes for the taxing districts would be shifted to businesses, and rental properties since the cap on liability applies only to properties for which the homestead exemption is claimed.
HB 4011 is unconstitutional. If you have a cap on assessed value, those assessments will not comply with the requirement of the constitution of an assessed value of 33 1/3% of actual value.
HB 4010 and the limitations on levies exempts out home rule units - so it would apply to school districts, counties (other than Cook) and every other taxing body that is not a home rule unit, but not home rule cities.
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 2:00 pm:
=And 150% of annual budget isn’t large or even “humongous”. If you knew anything about school finance at least=
If you carefully read my comments, you will see that I did not state that a 150% fund balance is humongous.
- Walker - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 2:07 pm:
Everyone here knows the primary drivers of property taxes are the spending and levies made by local governments — the solution involving exemptions and assessments are about which local community members pay more, and which less.
- Aaron B - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 2:24 pm:
@Facts Matter
Are there parts of Illinois where properties are consistently assessed at 33 1/3% of actual value? Last time I talked to my township assessor he literally told me that the fair cash value listed on my property tax bill doesn’t actually mean that is the amount a house would sell for. I’ve gone through the residential property sales over the last few years and very few are assessed at 33 1/3% of the arms length sale value. Most are assessed from 30% to 20% of the sale price.
- Facts Matter - Friday, Mar 14, 25 @ 3:30 pm:
@Aaron - the Illinois Department of Revenue issues equalization factors (multipliers) each year. Here’s an explanation by the Department:
The equalization factor is determined annually for each county by comparing the sales price of individual properties sold over the past three years to the assessed value placed on those properties by the county supervisor of assessments/ county assessor.
If the three-year average level of assessment is one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be one (1.0000). If the average level of assessment is greater than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be less than one (1.0000). And if the average level of assessment is less than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be greater than one (1.0000)