Sangamon Sun

Governor JB Pritzker has finally decided to implement mandatory co-pays for undocumented immigrants receiving free healthcare in Illinois. The original plan, proposed in the summer of 2023, was put on hold by the Pritzker Administration. However, there is a major catch to the new plan - the co-pays are not actually required and healthcare providers can choose not to implement them.

The co-pays were initially proposed to control the rising costs of the taxpayer-funded program, which were estimated to exceed a billion dollars per year. State Senator Bennett expressed his concerns about Illinois taxpayers paying for nearly free healthcare for noncitizens that is cheaper than what many working families can afford. He also warned that costs are likely to rise further due to the increased influx of asylum seekers in Chicago.

In regards to tax filing season, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) have announced that they will start accepting 2023 tax returns on January 29, 2024. Illinois residents have the option to file their state returns for free online through the MyTax Illinois website. IDOR expects to receive more than 6.2 million individual tax returns this year, with the majority being filed electronically.

Taxpayers can now take advantage of the Volunteer Emergency Worker Credit (EIC), which helps offset training and equipment costs for volunteer firefighters and EMTs. Additionally, eligible taxpayers can claim the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). IDOR officials have emphasized the importance of being vigilant against tax fraud, and have provided a helpline and website for additional information.

Efforts to expand outdoor recreation in Illinois have received a significant boost through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program. This program, now in its 37th year, is providing $54.9 million in grant funding for 111 local park projects. These funds will be used to buy and develop land for recreation projects, improving access to outdoor activities for Illinois residents.

Senator Bennett highlighted the importance of outdoor recreation for better overall health and community morale. He also announced that the cities of Streator, Minooka, and Dwight in the 53rd district have been awarded grants through the OSLAD program.

Senator Bennett is co-sponsoring a bipartisan proposal aimed at ensuring the preservation of small family farms in Illinois. The proposed bill seeks to make changes to the estate death tax, raising the exemption and expanding the definition of "qualified heir." The goal is to provide stability and protect the future of small to mid-size family farms, which hold a rich cultural heritage in Illinois.

In other news, the State of Illinois currently owes $872,985,836.18 to state vendors, excluding estimated debts such as the unfunded pension liability. Last year at this time, the state's accounts payable stood at less than $2 billion.

Lastly, Illinois reclaimed its position as the top soybean-producing state, with farmers raising almost 649 million bushels of soybeans. However, the state fell to second place in corn production, losing to neighboring Iowa.

That wraps up the latest update from Senator Bennett. Stay tuned for more updates on his work in the 53rd district.