SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that tax increment financing (TIF) dollars are used responsibly, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate that would expand the required reporting by municipalities to the Illinois Comptroller.

“Requiring measurable data from local governments will provide taxpayers with a better understanding of how TIF developments could affect their property taxes,” Gillespie said. “Our plan will create a transparent process that delivers opportunity while keeping our local governments honest.”

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that tax increment financing (TIF) dollars are used responsibly, State Senator Ann Gillespie passed legislation in the Senate Revenue Committee that would expand the required reporting by municipalities to the Illinois Comptroller.

“Most residents don’t know how TIF districts affect their property taxes or benefit the community,” Gillespie said. “This plan will shed light on the process and provide transparency in our local governments.”

TIF districts are a tool used by municipal governments to stimulate economic development in targeted areas. The legislation would gather more consistent, measurable data on the success of the TIF project by expanding what local governments must report annually to the Comptroller’s Office. Expanded reporting requirements would include projected and actual job creation, and projected and actual increment. The legislation also requires the report to be verified by a neutral third party.

"This is a sensible plan to ensure taxpayers are presented with a more complete picture of whether promises made are promises kept when it comes to TIF districts in their communities," Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said.

House Bill 571 passed the Senate Revenue Committee and awaits consideration before the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – Two measures introduced by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) that would assist school social workers with earning and paying off their degrees passed the Illinois Senate today.

“Illinois schools face a shortage of professional, culturally competent social workers,” Gillespie said. “We must make it easier for our future social workers to finish and pay off their education so that schools can hire the positions they desperately need to fill.”

Senate Bill 661 would require the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to award up to 250 Post-Master of Social Work Professional Educator License scholarships each year. Scholarship recipients would be required to work at a public or not-for-profit P-12 school in Illinois for at least two of the five years immediately following their graduation.

SPRINGFIELD – To help working families facing housing insecurity, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation Wednesday in the Senate Revenue Committee to encourage the development of quality, affordable housing units.

“We must be proactive in addressing the looming eviction crisis and building an equitable recovery,” Gillespie said. “Creating incentives in the housing market to produce affordable housing means better options and more stable lives for working and poor families across the state.”

The legislation would create a property tax abatement for affordable housing units. To receive it, property owners must commit to keeping rents for least 20 percent of their units at or below the maximum rent for 20 years. The bill would also require that the families renting those units be at or below maximum household income limits.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) would enforce the measure, and the measure would also require local governments to submit affordable housing plans to IHDA.

Senate Bill 2304 passed in the Senate Revenue Committee and awaits consideration before the full Senate.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Two measures introduced by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) that would assist school social workers with earning and paying off their degrees passed in the Senate Higher Education Committee on Tuesday.

“Illinois schools face a shortage of professional, culturally competent social workers,” Gillespie said. “We must make it easier for our future social workers to finish and pay off their education so that schools can hire the positions they desperately need to fill.”

Senate Bill 661 would require the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to award up to 250 Post-Master of Social Work Professional Educator License scholarships each year. Scholarship recipients would be required to work at a public or not-for-profit P-12 school in Illinois for at least two of the five years immediately following their graduation.

Senate Bill 662 would require ISAC to consider up to $6,500 in loan repayment assistance to borrowers with loans related to a degree in social work. Recipients must be employed at a public elementary or secondary school in Illinois for at least one year.

Both of Gillespie’s proposals would grant priority to underrepresented groups in the school social work field.

“As students return to in-person learning after over a year of remote classes, the need for social workers is more critical than ever,” Gillespie said. “Student mental health must be our primary focus in the upcoming school year.”

Both pieces of legislation now await consideration before the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – As classes resume in-person, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation in the Senate Education Committee to ban the abuse of restraints and seclusion rooms in schools.

“With students returning to physical classrooms, our children should not fear that their basic dignity will be stripped away,” Gillespie said. “I remain committed to ending the inhumane practice of prone restraint and the abuse of seclusion rooms.”

SPRINGFIELD – After being elected co-chair of the bipartisan Illinois Senate Women’s Caucus, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement:

“I am honored to have been elected as co-chair of the Senate Women’s Caucus and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue our fight for full gender equality.

“Women still face systemic disparities in health care, employment, compensation and more. The pandemic has amplified those disparities, especially for working women of color.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – To provide alternative and affordable education options to students, the Illinois State Board of Education has awarded career and technical education (CTE) grants to three schools in the 27^th Illinois Senate District, represented by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights).

“As our economy adapts to the pandemic, CTE is becoming increasingly important,” Gillespie said. “These grants will help train future CTE teachers so that young learners in our community have access to affordable educational opportunities for a career in growing industries.”

The CTE Education Career Pathways Grants were awarded to 62 schools and vocational centers across the state, totaling over $1.5 million. Prospect High School, John Hersey High School and Fremd High School are the local recipients.

CTE Education Career Pathways Grants prepare students for teaching careers with hands-on experiences that offer dual-credit, credentials and mentorship. The program also gives priority to applicants in underrepresented groups in the teaching field.

Learn more about the CTE Education Career Pathways Grant at isbe.net/cte.