State Representative Jeff Keicher said on May 5 that he and other House Republicans are proposing a new property tax reform agenda as part of ongoing legislative negotiations in Illinois. The announcement was made at a press conference with State Representatives Dan Ugaste, Jennifer Sanalitro, and Nicole La Ha.
The topic is significant as high property taxes have been cited by lawmakers as a factor driving families, small businesses, and opportunities out of the state. “Crushing property taxes are driving families, small businesses, and opportunities out of Illinois,” said Keicher. “The reality is, property taxes don’t just show up on a bill – they shape major life decisions. Whether a young family can afford a first home, a senior can stay in the home they’ve owned for decades, or a small business can stay afloat, all are directly affected by the high cost of property taxes. Sadly, too many people feel they have little or no say in the process, and that has to change.”
Keicher outlined several proposals that could be considered either individually or as part of broader economic development legislation related to megaprojects such as the potential Chicago Bears Stadium in Arlington Heights. He said House Republicans want reforms that address what they call problems with the current system rather than only offering relief to large corporations.
Key items from the House Republican Property Tax Reform Agenda include HB 9 (Ugaste), which would provide direct relief through the Fixed Pension Property Tax Relief Plan; HB 5611 and HB 5612 (Weaver), which would reinvest funds from paid bonds into tax relief; HB 2543 (Sosnowski), requiring taxing bodies to seek voter approval; HB 1024 (Cabello), mandating sunsets for tax referenda; and HB 5550 (Fritts), increasing notice requirements for tax increases. Additional measures focus on Tax Increment Financing districts: HB 1142 would require referendums to approve TIF districts while HB 1222 would limit them to no more than thirty-five years.
Keicher has served as state representative since being elected in 2018 for Illinois’ 70th District after replacing Robert W. Pritchard,according to Ballotpedia.
“None of the ideas we are offering are radical; they are rooted in the basic principle that we must respect and protect taxpayers,” said Keicher. “We can once again make our state the place where families and businesses flock to, where they know they can have an affordable and prosperous future. We have all the resources. Now we have to act.”
