Illinois Democrats unveil $1.8 billion tax relief bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KHQA) — Relief checks could be delivered directly to Illinoisans in a $1.8 billion tax relief plan announced on Friday by the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

The new initiative would provide $100 relief checks per person and $50 per child to state taxpayers making $250,000 individually or $500,000 jointly. Under those income guidelines, some 97% of taxpayers would receive money, according to a news release by State Senator Dave Koehler, D-Peoria.

“Fiscal responsibility and conscientious budgeting have allowed us to get Illinois back on track,” Koehler said. “Now that we’ve dealt with the state’s debts and deficits, it’s time to pay it forward and give a helping hand to our hardworking families.”

Property owners could also see up to $300 in property tax relief under the proposal.

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Additional measures to address inflation and ease financial burden on families include a six-month suspension on the 1% state grocery tax and the state’s portion of the gas tax increase. A proposed sales tax holiday on clothing and footwear Aug. 5 to Aug. 14 would also offer relief for families just in time for back-to-school shopping.

“This plan gets money back in the hands of consumers. They’ve endured through this pandemic. It’s time for the state to pay it forward,” Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) said at a Capitol press conference.

Senate Bill 1150 also looks to increase tax credits for teachers and volunteer first responders. The measure is expected to come to a vote before the planned legislative adjournment on April 8.

If it passes, the relief checks would likely come in late summer or early fall.

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