SPRINGFIELD – South Suburban homeowners and small businesses will see smaller property tax bills under a new state grant program for school districts in high-tax areas.

The Property Tax Relief Grant was included in the historic school funding reform law that has already provided millions of dollars in new state funds to school districts that need it the most. In the first year of the program, public schools in the 15th Senate District will see $8.4 million in property tax relief.

“One of the biggest hurdles to funding our schools is a lack of property wealth paired with high property taxes in the South Suburbs,” said State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey). “This new program can help us solve that problem and bring more resources to our local schools and economic growth to our community.”

Several local school districts will be eligible for the tax relief grant, including:
• Thornton Township High School District 205: $3,662,072.45
• Ford Heights School District 169: $216,232.14
• Bremen Community High School District 228: $3,541,127.33
• Dolton School District 148: $1,050,639.44

In order to receive the state grant, eligible school districts must submit an abatement resolution to their county clerks by March 30. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will then distribute the grants once receiving all abatement certificates.

More information on the Property Tax Relief Grant and a listing of each eligible school district can be found at www.ISBE.net/proptaxrelief.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate began a new session today with the inauguration of the 101st General Assembly.

State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) is looking forward to continuing his work on issues that affect south suburban communities.

“We have a lot of opportunity to work on issues that were put on the backburner during the last administration,” Harris said. “I’m looking forward to bringing the concerns of the South Suburbs to the forefront and helping our communities.”

Harris was elected to his first term in 2012 and represents the 15th Senate District in part of Chicago and the South Suburbs.

SPRINGFIELD – Midlothian residents will enjoy expanded programs from the Midlothian Park District after state lawmakers reversed the governor’s veto of a measure sponsored by State Senator Napoleon Harris III.

Harris (D-Harvey) sponsored a plan to allow the Midlothian Park District to proceed with a $13 million bond issue – approved by local voters in March – to pay for an addition to a recreation center built in 1970 and to expand programs.

“The community will benefit from a long-overdue expansion of the districts rec center, and students will have after school and summer programs to keep them out of harm’s way,” Harris said. “Local residents want this, they voted for it, and the governor should not stand in their way.”

Senate Bill 2589 exempts the park district from a state-mandated cap on borrowing. Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the measure in August.

The Senate voted 42-0 to override the veto on Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) led a successful effort this week to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a bill to help economically disadvantaged communities in Cook County shore up their water infrastructure.

“Smaller Cook County suburbs lack the funding to make necessary repairs to their infrastructure and have a small chance of qualifying for state loan programs,” Harris said. “We now have a way for towns like Harvey and Ford Heights to access the capital funds needed to provide residents with safe drinking water.”

In October 2017 the Chicago Tribune found Ford Heights residents pay nearly six times more for the same water usage as residents of the wealthy, predominantly white town of Highland Park, and four times more for water than people living in Chicago. Similar problems exist in Harvey and Maywood.

Eight towns surveyed by the Tribune — Hometown, East Hazel Crest, Posen, Burnham, Riverdale, Flossmoor, Lyons and Maywood — lost more than 30 percent of their water. Of the 10 towns with the highest water rates, 50 percent have majority black populations.
The legislation would set up a drinking water grant program under the Illinois EPA to fix aging water pipes in Harvey, Ford Heights, Maywood and other towns.

The legislation goes into effect immediately.