Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD — Under a measure from State Senator Robert Martwick, the property tax system in Illinois would face review by the Department of Revenue.

“Taxpayers all across the state of Illinois are aware that the property tax system needs to be reformed,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “This bill represents an acknowledgement that our property tax system needs to be reevaluated and the best reforms can only be achieved by instituting best practices, which will be identified by this study.”

Martwick’s measure would commission the Department of Revenue, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating the entire property tax system in the state. During the study, IDOR would examine whether the existing property tax levy, assessment, appeal and collection process is reasonable and fair, and issue recommendations for improvement.

SPRINGFIELD — To protect buyers, lenders and homeowners, State Senator Robert Marwick has advanced legislation that would lay out regulations for online foreclosure sales.

“Losing a home through foreclosure proceedings is one of the most difficult experiences a person can face,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “This legislation both permits and sets regulations for online foreclosure sales, which can ensure the best possible outcomes for people facing this difficult financial stress.”

The measure would allow online foreclosure sales to be conducted online, in-person or both, and would require the method be included in the notice of sale. Further, the measure includes requirements for a proper online sale including allowable fees, registration and identification requirements, and the bidding procedure.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Martwick has advanced a measure that would prohibit municipalities from discharging police officers due to a line-of-duty injury.

“With this measure, we are giving our dedicated police officers the same protections that we offer to our firefighters,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “First responders should never be at risk of losing their job because of a work-related disability.”

Martwick’s measure would ensure police officers could not be discharged from their duties based on their application for disability-related pension benefits. Once a chief of police receives notice that an officer is able to return to work, it would also require the officer to be reinstated to the same rank or grade they held prior to being placed on leave.

SPRINGFIELD — Under a new measure proposed by State Senator Robert Martwick, the property tax system in Illinois would face review by the Department of Revenue.

“Clearly, the property tax system across the entirety of the state of Illinois is in need of reform,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “This study will help us identify fair and equitable reforms that will give property tax payers across the state a greater sense of certainty about their property tax burden.”

Martwick’s measure would commission the Department of Revenue, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating the entire property tax system in the state. During the study, IDOR would examine whether the existing property tax levy, assessment, appeal and collection process is reasonable and fair, and issue recommendations for improvement.

CHICAGO — State Senator Robert Martwick joined community leaders on Tuesday to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Eli’s Cheesecake’s expanded facility.

“Eli’s Cheesecake is one of the largest specialty cheesecake and dessert companies in the country,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “Seeing this third-generation family-owned business expand their legacy speaks to the continued economic growth of our communities.”

The $10 million investment and expanded facility — which is the company’s first expansion in almost 30 years — will create at least 50 new local jobs. The expansion nearly doubles the size of the bakery, allowing for increased bakery operations, including additional production and packaging lines, warehousing and welfare areas. The facility also includes Eli’s Corporate Offices and the Eli’s Cheesecake Bakery Café.

SPRINGFIELD — Thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Robert Martwick, rideshare companies will be subject to the same standard of care as all other transportation companies.

“As rideshare companies become an integral part of modern transportation, we must demand the same high standards of care as we do for traditional carriers,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “Holding companies accountable for the actions of their employees is about safeguarding every passenger who places their trust in these services.”

Under the new law, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are subject to the common carrier doctrine, which holds transportation companies to the highest standard of care for their passengers. This allows the state to hold the company liable if an employee causes harm to a passenger through intentional means such as assault, or if a driver is intoxicated and causes an accident.

SPRINGFIELD — Legislation passed by State Senator Robert Martwick will secure the finances of the Cook County Pension Fund and protect taxpayers.

“Thanks to the incredible dedication and fiscal discipline implemented by President Toni Preckwinkle and her administration, the Cook County Pension Fund is one of the few pension systems in the state whose fund balance has improved over the course of the last decade,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “This measure ensures that retirees will receive the benefits they have earned and protects taxpayers from future property tax increases by codifying these fiscally responsible practices.”

SPRINGFIELD — Rideshare companies would be subject to the same care standards as all other transportation companies under new legislation introduced by State Senator Robert Martwick.

“It’s time we hold rideshare companies to the same standards as any other method of transportation,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “As passengers of a bus, or a plane, or even an amusement park ride, you expect to get to your destination safely, that is why I am championing this change.”

The common carrier doctrine holds transportation companies to the highest standard of care to their passengers. This includes being able to hold the company liable if their employee causes the passenger harm, through intentional means such as assault, or if a driver is intoxicated and causes an accident.

Currently, transportation network companies, like Uber and Lyft, are exempt from the common carrier doctrine. This leaves victims with few means to hold the companies liable for harm caused by their drivers. Between the two largest companies, Uber and Lyft, between 2017 and 2020 there were almost 14,000 reports of sexual assault, with 824 reportedly being rapes. Martwick’s measure would subject such companies to the common carrier doctrine, holding them accountable for the safety of their passengers.

“Negligence is negligence, and it’s a victim’s right to hold companies liable,” Martwick said. “It’s only right to subject rideshares to the same standard as all other forms of transportation.”

House Bill 2231 passed the Senate on Thursday.