Cunningham passes measure making it easier for seniors to get tax relief

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.

Cunningham introduces bill to retrieve FOID cards from unfit individuals

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham has introduced a measure that would create groups tasked with retrieving Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) cards after they have been revoked.

Although state law already allows the state to revoke FOID cards if an individual is deemed unfit to carry a firearm, there is no system currently in place to ensure that a FOID is physically revoked to prevent further gun purchases. Senate Bill 715 would create firearm Revocation Enforcement Groups charged with recovering FOID cards that have been revoked by the state of Illinois.

The bill is an initiative of Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.

Circumstances under which the state has the authority to revoke a FOID card from an individual include instances when a card holder commits a felony, becomes addicted to narcotics, has committed acts of domestic violence or is diagnosed with a mental condition that presents a clear and present danger to oneself or others.

“If an individual has been found unfit to possess a firearm due to criminal activity or mental illness, there needs to be a process by which his or her FOID card is physically revoked,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “This is a common sense law that will make Illinois safer.”

Cunningham introduced the bill in response to the February 15 mass shooting in Aurora that killed five people and injured several others, including five police officers.

“The Aurora shooter was a felon with a long history of violent behavior, and yet he was still allowed to retain his FOID card and purchase a gun,” Cunningham said. “This is a clear and persistent problem around our country and we need to act now to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.”

Cunningham votes to increase tobacco purchasing age to 21

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham voted Thursday for legislation that would increase the age to legally purchase tobacco products in Illinois to 21.

“The tobacco industry’s long history of targeting young people has shown that they’re willing to sacrifice teenagers’ health to line their own pockets,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “This is a public health issue and I’m proud to support a bill that protects Illinois teenagers by helping prevent what could become a lifelong addiction.”

House Bill 345 would make Illinois the seventh state in the country to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21. More than 300 municipalities across the United States have adopted Tobacco 21, including 24 communities in Illinois.

Raising the tobacco purchasing age has been proven to reduce the number of high school students who use tobacco products. In Chicago, where Tobacco 21 is currently in effect, the high school smoking rate dropped from 13.6 percent in 2011 to 6 percent in 2017.

The measure passed the Senate 39-16. It will now go to the governor’s desk.

Cunningham meets with students to discuss technical education

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham met with local students on Tuesday to have a conversation about technical education and professional development in Illinois.

Students from Community High School District 218 in Oak Lawn came to Springfield for the Illinois Association of Career and Technical Education’s Showcase Day, on which students from around the state demonstrate their skills and respond to education and workforce issues in Illinois.

“It’s inspiring to see so many students taking an interest in technical education and being engaged in the related issues that come before the Illinois State Senate,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs.

“I have long been an advocate for providing our students with ample opportunities no matter what type of education they wish to pursue and look forward to continuing to promote career and technical education in Springfield.”

Senator Cunningham represents portions of Worth, Orland and Palos Townships in the southwest suburbs and the neighborhoods of Mt. Greenwood, Beverly, Morgan Park and Auburn-Gresham in Chicago.