State Senator Craig Wilcox and State Representatives Steve Reick, Joe Sosnowski and Tom Weber met in person with County Board members on January 13th. State Senator Don DeWitte attended via Zoom. His Legislative Assistant Carolyn Schofield attended in person.

From minutes of the McHenry County Law and Justice Committee:

Updates from Members of the Illinois General Assembly

The meeting focused on McHenry County’s legislative agenda and local priorities for 2025.

Key issues discussed included Mary Ann’s Law, which proposed that deaths appearing to be suicides, especially those linked to domestic violence, be treated as suspicious until proven otherwise.

There were also concerns about budget projections, particularly regarding the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF), with municipalities potentially facing challenges if state funds were withheld due to state budget underfunding.

A new hemp bill was being discussed, following a failed version in the previous session, which could impact the hemp and cannabis industries.

Additionally, local governments pushed for more control over solar farm approvals, particularly focusing on increasing bonds for decommissioning and factoring in the cost of recycling solar panels.

Senator Wilcox expressed concern about the state’s budget, emphasizing the issue of overspending and the potential impact of LGDF cuts.

He warned of political challenges in balancing the budget, with the possibility of raising taxes.

He also noted the need for legislative action on payment delays and rising health system costs.

Senator Severson acknowledged similar concerns, pointing out the likelihood of increased taxes and payment delays as potential solutions.

She also raised concerns about the financial struggles of health systems, especially in relation to Medicaid and Medicare funding.

There was significant discussion about rising private health insurance costs and a flat revenue stream, which were putting pressure on the healthcare system.

With more non-citizens receiving free healthcare, the system faced increased strain, and lawmakers anticipated more financial challenges ahead.

LGDF concerns were also prominent, with worries about potential delays or reductions in funding for local governments. Legislators urged local governments to advocate for their fair share and prepare for potential delays.

Mass transit consolidation was another key topic, with debates about consolidating mass transit systems and how to manage CTA’s debt while balancing suburban and city needs.

CTA had secured federal funding for major projects, including the Red Line Extension, but concerns remained about the equitable distribution of funds, especially as some funds were funneled through the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) rather than directly to the CTA.

[Carolyn Schofield representing] Senator DeWitte expressed support for external lobbying efforts to complement internal legislative
actions.

He emphasized that a powerful external group of lobbyists could amplify the voices of local governments, municipalities, and county boards.

Senator DeWitte reiterated the importance of advocacy and accountability, particularly when legislators claim to support local government funding but vote in ways that undermine it.

Representative Weber shared insights on some anticipated bills, such as assisted suicide and hemp legislation, which were not discussed.

He also highlighted concerns about mental health services funding, the outflow of people from Illinois, and the state’s budget shortfall.

He noted that the Governor’s property tax relief task force had not produced meaningful results and called for more attention to property tax reform.

Regarding the 60-vote rule in the House, Weber expressed frustration with the new unwritten rule that required 60 Democrat votes for bills to move forward, sidelining Republican proposals.

Concerns about LGDF delays and their potential impact on McHenry County’s mental health services were also raised.

Representative Weber mentioned that McHenry County should pay attention to Representative Conroy’s efforts on RTA matters, as her influence in Springfield could provide an opportunity for collaboration.

The meeting also touched on the $3.2 billion budget deficit facing Illinois and the potential financial impact of pension legislation (HB 5909) on McHenry County, which could increase pension costs for correctional officers by nearly $2 million annually.

Local resolutions were encouraged to advocate for McHenry County’s interests in pension reforms and other legislative issues.

A proposal for bankruptcy as a last resort for municipalities facing pension crises was also discussed, referencing reforms in Michigan.

The legislators also focused on property taxes and state mandates, particularly regarding emergency management and FEMA grants, and expressed the need for more cooperation with the state.

There were challenges with the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), as McHenry County faced holdbacks on funding.

These holdbacks had been larger than in previous years, and better communication was suggested to resolve the issue.

It was noted that inexperienced individuals in the agency might contribute to the problem, and continued engagement with elected representatives was encouraged.

Closing comments reinforced the importance of addressing issues in child welfare, with ongoing work being done by lawmakers like Representative Weber, who had proposed legislation to address these concerns.

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