OAKBROOK TERRACE – To clarify the numerous property tax reform initiatives introduced this legislative session, State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) is urging local residents to use available resources to educate themselves on proposals working through the Senate this spring.

“When I talk to residents, their top concern remains high property tax bills,” Glowiak said. “It is vital for residents to know what legislative measures are being considered in Springfield to help their legislators represent their interests.”

Suburban property taxes tend to be high to ensure schools are properly funded. The state has adjusted that model to more fairly direct funding toward schools, which Glowiak believes should result in lower property taxes. In the upcoming April municipal elections, 18 suburban school districts will empower voters to decide the fate of property taxes for the schools through referendums.

“The state funding schools properly should result in property tax savings in Illinois,” Glowiak said. “I’m interested in seeing what local residents decide.”

There are exemptions available for seniors and veterans, but reapplying every year can be burdensome.

“There are new measures that if passed would cut redundant bureaucratic hurdles our seniors and veterans need to repeat every year,” Glowiak said. “We need to continue to look for ways to cut bureaucratic red tape to streamline the process to allow residents to see savings without inessential paperwork.”

The measures introduced in the Senate include:

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WILLOWBROOK– Willowbrook residents may soon have regulations in place to address the public health crisis created by unsafe levels of the cancer-causing chemical, ethylene oxide in the community’s air supply.

State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) is sponsoring a package of measures that will protect communities like Willowbrook across the 24th State Senate District.

“This bipartisan legislation will guarantee local residents are not only safe from this cancer-causing chemical, but also ensure they’re informed and have the opportunity to share their concerns,” Glowiak said. “The residents of Willowbrook have been courageous advocates in the fight to protect all of us in DuPage County. I would like to thank them for their dedication to safeguarding our neighborhoods for generations to come.”

Glowiak joined the legislation’s sponsor State Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) in fighting to safeguard not only Willowbrook but all of Illinois from this disastrous public health hazard.

The three measures take a multifaceted approach to address this health crisis:

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LISLE – Freshman Senator Suzy Glowiak held her first bipartisan town hall meeting on Saturday at the Lisle Village Hall, fielding a variety of questions that impact the 24th State Senate District.

Glowiak (D-Western Springs) partnered with legislators representing Lisle to answer questions from a room full of local residents on topics including property tax relief, solving the state’s pension crisis, environmental concerns and fair legislative map redistricting.

“Open forums like this bring people with diverse perspectives together to share input on vital issues that impact our community,” Glowiak said. “I’m honored to serve a district with such active residents that want to work together to make our neighborhoods even better.”

Glowiak was joined by a bipartisan group of legislators that included State Senators John Curran and Laura Ellman and State Representatives Terra Costa Howard and Anne Stava-Murray.

“Government works best when elected officials are in constant communication with constituents,” Glowiak said.

Glowiak urges local residents to stay up-to-date with news in Springfield and the district by signing up for her e-newsletter. She looks forward to hosting additional community events in the coming weeks.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his first budget on Wednesday in Springfield.

State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) is happy to hear proposals for a $375 million increase in K-12 education funding to ensure all schools in DuPage and Cook counties see more state dollars in their classrooms.

“Our schools are finally being funded the right way to help ensure our children receive outstanding educational opportunities without raising property tax bills,” Glowiak said. “I’m happy to see that the state is finally paying its fair share.”

However, the freshman senator has numerous questions about the governor’s pension funding proposals that would restructure pension payments and delay the target date that the state’s pension system is 90 percent funded from 2045 to 2052.

Glowiak, who declined a General Assembly pension herself, does not feel comfortable supporting proposals that will delay vital pension payments.

“Too many governors for too long have kicked the can down the road on our state’s pension obligations,” Glowiak said. “I need further details to decide if I can support a proposal that delays the year we fully fund our pension payments.”

The budget proposal also included plans to close loopholes for big corporate businesses such as Walmart to help the state find $94 million in savings over the next year.

“The State of Illinois is breaking away from President Trump’s big tax breaks for massive corporations,” Glowiak said. “We need to focus on finding savings and helping our local businesses prosper in our communities, not handing big conglomerates tax breaks on the taxpayer’s dime.”