McConnaughay Reports

Senator Karen McConnaughay’s missive from last week:

Senator McConnaughay’s Legislative Update: April 29, 2016

Karen McConnaughay.

Karen McConnaughay.

Positive progress continued this week when Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law an appropriations bill that funds higher education and MAP grants for college students through September.

This a positive sign of bipartisan compromise, and is a step in the right direction.

Also this week, it is now up to the Illinois Labor Relations Board to rule whether contract negotiations between Gov. Rauner and one of the state’s largest labor unions have truly reached an impasse.

Sadly, a report from data provider CoreLogic ranks Illinois number one in the nation for the highest median property tax rates. The new report was timely, coinciding with this year’s “Tax Freedom Day,” which falls on April 29.

On a positive note, The State Journal-Register reported that Lincoln’s Home in Springfield generated nearly $13.8 million for the capital city economy, just one example of the economic impact that Illinois historic sites have on local economies across the state.

As always, I hope you will contact me or my office with any questions or concerns you may have. You can also visit my legislative website at www.senatormcconnaughay.com.

Sincerely,

Karen McConnaughay
State Senator for the 33rd District

A step in the right direction

On April 25, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an appropriations bill providing funding for higher education and MAP grants. The bipartisan solution ensures that universities, colleges, and community colleges remain open through September, at which point they’ll start collecting their fall tuition money.

Gov. Rauner said this legislation doesn’t solve the budget crisis, but is a good step toward compromise between Democrat and Republican lawmakers. He noted it’s “time to build on the bipartisan momentum” and focus on passing a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2016 and Fiscal Year 2017.

Click here to read more…

Rauner/AFSCME go to labor board over union contract negotiations

This week, the Illinois Labor Relations Board began a hearing on whether contract negotiations are at a standstill between Gov. Rauner and one of the state’s largest employee unions.

Getting ready for last summer's AFSCME rally in the Woodstock Square.

Getting ready for last summer’s AFSCME rally in the Woodstock Square.

Having failed to negotiate a compromise agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Governor referred the dispute to the state labor board in January in accordance with law.

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Tax House + Dollars

McHenry County residents pay far more than the state average of 2.67% of the value of their homes each year in property taxes.

Illinois holds highest median property tax rate

Illinois has the highest median property tax rate in the nation, according to CoreLogic, a data provider to financial services and real estate companies. While the national median property tax rate is 1.31 percent, Illinois weighs in at a 2.67 percent.

Senate Republican lawmakers say these figures hit home for the people of Illinois. According to CoreLogic, a home valued at $200,000 will, on average, pay annual total property taxes of $2,620. However, in Illinois, that homeowner would pay $5,340.

Click here to read more here…

One hundred nineteen days to tax freedom day

This year “Tax Freedom Day” in Illinois falls on April 29, meaning Illinois residents worked 119 days to pay off their total tax bill in 2016. The longer it takes the pay their taxes, means the less money taxpayers are taking home for food, clothing, housing and other necessities.

Tax Freedom Day underscores what Republican lawmakers have been saying for years—spending cuts coupled with systemic, structural reforms to reduce rampant abuse, fraud and waste are critically important.

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Historic sites generate state revenue

According to The State Journal-Register, a recent report from the National Park Service notes that $13.8 million were added to the capital city’s local economy in 2015 from visitors to the Lincoln Home Historic Site.

There were a total of 233,296 visitors in 2015 alone. Local site attendance was up 18 percent, possibly due to it being the 100th anniversary of the park service, along with lower gas prices making for easier travel.

Click here to read more…


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