SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham voted Wednesday for a tax reform package that – if passed by voters – would implement a fair tax system in Illinois and provide tax relief to 98 percent of 18^th District taxpayers.

The fair tax overhaul would also provide property tax relief to homeowners and lower the income tax rate for middle and working-class taxpayers while asking the wealthy to pay their fair share.

“It’s long past time for the wealthiest people in Illinois to pay their fair share to provide fiscal stability for our state,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “We’ve been careening from one financial crisis to another for far too long and this proposal will lessen the burden on lower and middle income taxpayers without sacrificing the availability of services on which Illinois residents rely.”

Illinois is one of only nine states that currently have a flat income tax.

“Almost every state that taxes income uses a fair rate system, including some states with very conservative political climates,” Cunningham said. “This constitutional amendment would discard our outdated tax system and replace it with a modern, equitable one.”

Another provision in the package would freeze property taxes on Illinois residents as long as the state fully funds public schools in the state.

“Illinois residents should not be forced to pay exorbitant property tax rates in order for their children to receive a high-quality education,” Cunningham said. “High property taxes have been a serious issue for people in my district for a long time and this measure will finally start to bring some relief to taxpayers.”

The package will now go before the House of Representatives. 

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a measure Thursday introduced by State Senator Bill Cunningham that would crack down on assault and public indecency in prisons and jails.

Senate Bill 416 would allow a prison warden to revoke up to 90 days of pre-trial credit or good behavior credit from an individual if the prison disciplinary board sustains charges of public indecency, assault or battery on a peace officer.

The legislation would further allow prison wardens to revoke up to 365 days of credit for each subsequent charge that has been sustained by the prison disciplinary board.

“Peace officers have dangerous jobs and it’s imperative that we protect these men and women just as well as they protect us,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “These penalties will be an effective deterrent against inappropriate behavior in our prisons and make them safer for both the guards and the inmates, themselves.”

The Senate approved the measure in a 57-0 vote. The bill will now go before the House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a bill sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham Wednesday that would prohibit diesel trucks from idling excessively in residential areas.

Senate Bill 1256 would prevent diesel trucks over 8,000 pounds from idling for more than a total of ten minutes in an hour if the vehicle is within 200 feet of a residential area in Cook County.

Cunningham credited Cook County residents living near a trucking yard for bringing the issue to his attention. The residents identified persistent noise and air quality issues with the trucking yard, located near the corner 119^th St. and Central Park Ave. in Merrionette Park, that needed to be addressed.

“Residents of my district are sick and tired of the noise and pollution coming from trucking lots located near residential areas,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “This is a straightforward measure that will make a positive difference in the lives of many Cook County residents.”

The measure passed with no opposition. It will now go before the House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham that would make it easier for seniors to receive a tax break passed Illinois State Senate Thursday.

Senate Bill 1257 would eliminate the need for residents aged 65 or older to reapply annually to receive the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption, a property tax exemption designed to assist senior citizens financially.

Currently, every county in Illinois other than Cook may allow seniors to receive the exemption without reapplying.

“The requirement to reapply annually for this tax break is an unnecessary hurdle that makes it more difficult for seniors to get tax relief,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “This bill will make government more efficient and exempt seniors from repeating a sometimes frustrating and confusing application process.”

The measure also requires the Cook County Accessor’s Office, the Cook County Clerk and the Recorder of Deeds Office to communicate when a home receiving an exemption is sold to ensure the tax break is not awarded to residents who do not qualify.

Senate Bill 1257 passed 51-0. It will now go before the House of Representatives.