SPRINGFIELD, IL — In a press conference this morning, Illinois House GOP members Ugaste, Keicher, La Ha, and Sanalitro rolled out a package of bills to prioritize property tax relief for everyday Illinoisans. While the megaproject proposal before the legislature focuses on securing special tax exemptions for millionaire and billionaire developers, House Republicans are focusing on property tax relief for all Illinoisans.
Americans for Prosperity-Illinois (AFP-IL) State Director Jason Heffley issued the following statement:
“Illinois is tied for the highest property taxes in the nation, prompting Illinoisans to flee the state for lower-tax states. Instead of focusing on legislation that only provides special tax relief for wealthy developers, the General Assembly should prioritize bills that address the property tax burden facing everyday Illinoisans.
“AFP applauds House GOP leadership for prioritizing affordability for all property taxpayers. We hope any final version of the megaproject bill includes specific protections for property taxpayers that ensure no property taxes can be shifted to regular Illinoisans (phantom EAV language) and provides meaningful property tax relief for families across the entire state.”
Other solutions, like statewide property tax caps, would provide certainty for all Illinois property taxpayers. Some of the ideas shared this morning to provide statewide property tax reform include:
- HB 9 – Increases state education funding with corresponding dollar-for-dollar relief to property taxpayers. Estimated $2.8B in first-year relief, and $82.4B over 21 years.
- HB 5611, HB 5612 – A state-funded grant program starting in 2030 to provide property tax relief for Illinois school districts. Under these bills, districts receive state grants in exchange for limiting their local property tax extensions.
- HB 2543 – Taxpayer Empowerment Act, allows taxpayers to initiate property tax relief referendums by reducing levies up to 10%.
- HB 1024 – Requires tax referenda to include automatic sunset dates. This adds transparency, forces periodic accountability, and prevents temporary taxes from becoming permanent without public approval.
- HB 5550 – Truth in Taxation strengthens public notice and participation requirements for annual tax increases, giving taxpayers a clearer voice before rates go up. In Kansas, after adoption, 62% of local governments keep levies flat.