DES PLAINES – More senior citizens could save money on their property taxes under legislation filed by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

Murphy’s proposal raises the income limit to $75,000 for senior citizens to claim the assessment freeze homestead exemption on their property taxes. The cap currently is $65,000.

“I think the legislature should do more to help seniors stay in their homes and not be pushed out by rising home values and property taxes,” Murphy said. “That’s why I introduced a plan to raise the income cap for the senior freeze exemption.”

The senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption allows qualifying senior citizens to maintain the equalized assessed value of their home. This prevents increases in home valuations and property taxes.

Senate Bill 2305 has an immediate effective date upon approval by the legislature and governor.

DES PLAINES—Entrepreneurs in Illinois will immediately see lower fees to start and maintain their business thanks to a new law co-sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).  

“I co-sponsored this legislation to make it easier for entrepreneurs in Illinois to start and maintain their businesses,” Murphy said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and I believe we need to pass more legislation like this to support them. I hope that by reducing the LLC fee schedule we can help small businesses grow and thrive in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 867 reduces the following fees:

•    The articles of organization fee will be reduced from $500 to $150;
•    The cost to register a name will be reduced from $300 to $50 and the cost to reserve a name will be reduced from $300 to $25;
•    The series organization fee will be reduced from $750 to $400;
•    The annual report fee will be reduced from $250 to $75;
•    The articles of amendment fee will be reduced from $150 to $50;
•    The fee to renew a name registration will be cut in half from $100 to $50;
•    The cost of articles of dissolution will be reduced from $100 to $5;
•    And the application to reinstate a LLC will drop from $500 to $200.

The new law takes effect immediately.

Revenue department withholding 2% of some funds from communities

DES PLAINES—Communities shouldn’t be expected to bear costs associated with running the state’s tax-collecting body, State Senator Laura Murphy said today as she called for the rollback of unfair fees being charged to local governments.

Murphy introduced Senate Bill 2245 to eliminate the Illinois Department of Revenue’s ability to withhold 2 percent of certain funds it collects from local governments.

“People pay local taxes so they can have local services like police and fire coverage, not so that their money can go into state coffers to prop up the Department of Revenue,” said Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat. “This is a desperate and unfair money grab by the state, plain and simple.”

Murphy’s legislation affects the Municipal Home Rule Sales Tax, the Municipal Non-Home Rule Sales Tax, and the County Home Rule Sales Tax, among others. This retention is expected to generate about $61 million.

Under current law, the Department of Revenue can use the money it withholds – which it calls “an administrative charge” – to help cover its costs. The department is not using this new fee to provide any additional services.

“The governor has repeatedly tried to slash funding for local governments,” Murphy said. “Rather than taking money from our communities, the governor should find a better way to manage the state agencies under his direction.”
Murphy expects the Senate to take up SB 2245 when the 2018 session begins in January.

Murphy: Reid a ‘pillar within our community’

Pastor Charles Reid III was recently recognized for his community-building work with the AARP 50@50+ Illinois award.

State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) nominated Pastor Charles Reid III for the award, which celebrates the contributions individuals over the age of 50 make to their communities and their work to disrupt ideas about aging.

“I am delighted that Pastor Reid was selected for the AARP 50@50+ award,” Murphy said. “He is a pillar within our community and continually gives back. He is a perfect example of dedicated community service.”

Reid serves the Bethesda Worship Center in Des Plaines where he has mentored numerous individuals. He also volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of Des Plaines. He played an integral role in establishing an interfaith breakfast in Des Plaines to celebrate the similarities between faith-based organizations.

Honorees for the AARP 50@50+ Illinois award were recognized for their work in the categories of business, community building, nonprofit work, arts and culture, and age disruption.

Photo credit: Harvey Tillis