SPRINGFIELD – Illinois families are eligible to receive a tax rebate and financial assistance through tax relief programs included in the budget signed today by Governor JB Pritzker. Relief will come as early as July 1, thanks to support from State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“Hardworking Illinoisans have been asking for help from the state, and I am happy to report that this budget will deliver the assistance they need,” Murphy said. “This budget not only pays all of our obligations, but provides low and middle-class people some financial relief—money that is much needed considering the difficulties in the past two years.”

Governor JB Pritzker signed the budget and the bipartisan tax relief plan – found within Senate Bill 157 – Tuesday.

The law sends money directly to taxpayers, sending relief checks straight to the mailboxes of more than 95% of taxpayers and homeowners. It also permanently expands the earned income tax credit, which will put $100 million per year back into the pockets of families who need it most.

Further, the tax relief plan includes a suspension on the 1% state grocery tax for a year, as well as a suspension of the state’s portion of the gas tax increase—saving consumers approximately $470 million in total.

Additional support for working families and teachers will be brought through back-to-school tax relief thanks to a sales tax reduction period in August, a teacher classroom supplies tax credit and an increase in the MAP college scholarship program.

Beyond providing relief for working families, the budget allocates funds to strengthen violence prevention programs, provides law enforcement with the tools they need to prevent and solve crimes, and more. The total investment in public safety is over $500 million.

“With rising crime rates across the state, it is imperative that we provide the best resources possible to law enforcement for them to address this issue,” Murphy said. “I am hopeful that this renewed investment in law enforcement will help reduce crime and work to keep our communities safe.”

The Fiscal Year 2023 budget will take effect July 1, 2022.

SPRINGFIELD – April 18th will now be considered Republic of Ireland Day and official events held on the day will be officially designated by the governor, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“It is important for us to show our respect for Irish-Americans’ history, culture and impact on our great state by designating events on Republic of Ireland Day,” Murphy said. “This measure will send a message to the Irish-American community that we appreciate their history and contributions to Illinois, and will continue to celebrate them for years to come.”

On April 18, 1949, Ireland officially declared itself independent from Great Britain. Therefore, this date is significant to many Irish-Americans, and many events and celebrations are held in its honor across the state.

Murphy’s law called for the governor to issue a proclamation announcing the recognition of Republic of Ireland Day within 10 days of April 18th, and designate the official events that are being held in honor of the day. Since Illinois has a large population of Irish-American immigrants and many gatherings in celebration of Irish holidays, designating the Republic of Ireland Day as a commemorative day would further honor Irish-American immigrants in Illinois.

“Irish-American immigrants and their decedents have made immense impacts on our state—in the past and in the present,” Murphy said. “Designating the Republic of Ireland Day celebrates the one million Irish-Americans who call Illinois home, and ensures we remember their contributions to our diverse community.”

House Bill 4811 was signed into law Tuesday, April 19.

SPRINGFIELD – More counties across the state may soon have access to funding for expressway cameras, thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“Crimes on expressways are not exclusive to Cook County,” Murphy said. “If we want to prioritize public safety, we need to make sure Illinoisans in all parts of the state have access to the best crime deterring technology—expressway cameras assist the police as they investigate crimes on the road.”

Cameras are an important resource for law enforcement to investigate crimes that occur on the road. Under current law, the Illinois Department of Transportation must use revenue from the Road Fund to fund any cameras on expressways under their jurisdiction. Murphy’s House Bill 4481 would expand the funds available for cameras by including expressways under the Illinois Tollway Authority’s jurisdiction. The Tollway must include funds intended for cameras in their annual budget request.

House Bill 4481 would also expand this law to allow for expressway cameras to be purchased for Boone, Bureau, Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Henry, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Macon, Madison, McHenry, Morgan, Peoria, Rock Island, Sangamon, St. Clair, Will and Winnebago counties—making sure these communities are also able to monitor and investigate any unlawful activities on their expressways. The program is subject to appropriation.

This measure is part of the Senate Democrats’ public safety initiative, a group of bills aimed at addressing rising rates of crime throughout the state. Senator Murphy is hopeful that this measure will help bring justice in the event of a crime on expressways, and to deter them from happening in the first place.

“My constituents are concerned about rising crime across the state,” Murphy said. “This bill, and many others this session, will give law enforcement officers the tools they need to investigate crimes—making our communities safer for our families.”

House Bill 4481 passed the Senate on Friday. It now goes to the governor’s desk for final consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – After months of negotiations with lawmakers, state agencies, and other stakeholders, State Senator Laura Murphy (D—Des Plaines) is declaring the budget and tax relief plan a win for working families, who will receive nearly $2 billion in financial assistance.

“Not only did we pass a balanced budget and an ample tax relief plan, it’s a package that provides an unprecedented investment to help low and middle-class families,” Murphy said. “I’m proud to have helped create a plan that prioritizes working families in our community, and will give them a path to bounce back after the challenges of the past two years.”

In addition to providing relief for working families, the budget invests an additional $200 million than what was initially proposed for public safety. The budget allocates funds to strengthen violence prevention programs, the tools law enforcement need to prevent and solve crimes, and more.

Further, the tax relief plan includes a suspension on the 1% state grocery tax for a year, as well as a suspension of the state’s portion of the gas tax increase—saving consumers approximately $470 million in total.

Additional support for working families and teachers is back-to-school tax relief through a sales tax holiday in August, a teacher classroom supplies reimbursement and an increase in MAP grants permitting more college students access to tuition assistance.

"This package makes essential investments in our communities. It’s the right path for families and small businesses to reap success,” Murphy said. "We are also making providing additional funding to law enforcement—permitting additional tools to make our communities safer.”

If signed by the governor, the Fiscal Year 23 budget will take effect July 1, 2022.