Hastings: new legislation could save homes, protect equity for families facing tax sales
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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation designed to provide critical relief to Cook County homeowners at risk of losing their homes in the county’s 2023 tax sale. Hastings, a chief co-sponsor on the bill, worked to pass the measure through the Senate.
“Many families in Cook County have invested their life savings and built equity in their homes, only to face the threat of losing everything over unpaid taxes,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This legislation provides homeowners with breathing room, ensures fairness in the process, and protects their constitutional property rights.”
House Bill 598 would postpone the filing deadline for the annual tax sale from March 10, 2026, to December 1, 2026, while also suspending interest accrual on delinquent taxes during the extension. This additional time gives residents an opportunity to redeem their property or work with county officials to resolve outstanding tax issues before homes are permanently lost.
Hastings supports effort to modernize child support for shared parenting families
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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is backing legislation aimed at modernizing how child support is calculated when parents share significant parenting time.
“When parents share time and responsibility, our laws should recognize that,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This bill reduces unnecessary conflict, brings greater clarity to the process and keeps the focus where it belongs — on the well-being of children.”
Senate Bill 3524 would update child support calculations in cases where both parents are actively involved in raising their children. The legislation would build on Illinois’ income shares model, originally sponsored by Hastings, which shifted the state away from a one-sided percentage formula toward a more balanced approach that considers both parents’ incomes, the needs of the child and real-world parenting arrangements.
Hastings builds on missing persons identification methods
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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on his missing persons investigation work by advancing legislation that would accelerate the timeline for critical forensic data being added to state and national databases.
“Families dealing with a missing loved one should not have to wait for answers,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This legislation would ensure vital information, such as dental records, gets into the right law enforcement systems sooner — increasing the likelihood of timely matches and helping law enforcement and families get results.”
Under current law, missing persons cases are entered into state and federal databases and may eventually receive additional identifying data. Senate Bill 2949 would update the process so that if a person remains missing for 30 days after a police report, their dental record will be added to the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System — rather than waiting longer under previous practice. After 60 days, the bill would require dental records to be entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, the federal repository used to match missing persons with unidentified remains.
Hastings reacts to FY 27 budget proposal
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SPRINGFIELD — After hearing the governor’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement:
“Our state budget faces real challenges, particularly with uncertainty in federal funding that supports Medicaid and essential services, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Meeting these obligations will require fiscal discipline and responsible priorities to protect residents while ensuring government lives within its means.
“I was encouraged that the governor expressed a willingness to work on an issue I have been leading on for nearly two years: the unreasonable increases in homeowners insurance premiums affecting families across Illinois. I look forward to working with his administration on solutions to rising costs, as well as addressing predatory ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ practices that can harm consumers’ credit and long-term financial stability.
“At a time when many Illinoisans are focused on affordability and economic certainty, we must remain disciplined, collaborative and results-driven to deliver responsible solutions for our neighbors.”
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Welcome
Thank you for visiting my website. I am proud to serve as the State Senator from Illinois’ 19th District. I hope you will find this site a useful resource to stay informed about our district and my actions in Springfield. Please contact either of my offices with questions or ways I can better serve you.
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Sincerely,
State Senator Michael Hastings
19th Senate District
CONTACT SENATOR HASTINGS
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Springfield Office:
121-D Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-9595
Frankfort Office:
20855 S. LaGrange Road
Frankfort, IL 60423
(815) 464-5431
East Office:
813 School Ave.
Matteson, IL 60443
