Hastings: Property tax relief grants available for school districts in Matteson, Olympia Fields & Richton Park

SPRINGFIELD – With school districts making up a large portion of property tax bills in the South Suburbs, State Sen. Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) is proud to announce new state funding is on the way to support our schools and help provide local taxpayers a break.

Property Tax Relief Grants (PRTG) were recently issued to local school districts across the South Suburbs. The PRTG was enacted as a part of the education funding reforms enacted into law in 2017. The grants aim to help school districts with high tax rates by giving them an opportunity to lower the property tax burden on local taxpayers.

“This grant program is a step in the right direction as we continue to seek solutions to the sky-high property tax rates in our state,” said Sen. Hastings (D-Tinley Park). “Because of this program, hardworking families across the South Suburbs should see an off-set their property taxes without reducing their schools’ funding.”

Local school districts that are eligible for the grant include:
• Matteson Elementary School District 159
• Matteson Elementary School District 162
• Rich Township High School District 227

Eligible school districts must submit an abatement resolution to their county clerks by March 30 to receive the grant.
More information on the Property Tax Relief Grant and a listing of each eligible school district can be found at www.ISBE.net/proptaxrelief.

Hastings commends Gov. Pritzker’s message of investment, education, ethics reform

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) offered the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“We must continue to invest in what makes Illinois a great place to live. Our roads, schools and other critical infrastructure must be modernized. Last year, we took huge strides and I look forward to working with Governor Pritzker to continue rebuilding Illinois.

“In particular, I am pleased by his administration’s commitment to working on improving our energy infrastructure to ensure that carbon emissions are reduced and clean energy sources are increased. I am also encouraged by his commitment to investing in our children’s education. All our schools, from early childhood to community colleges, must be strong if we want a robust, well-trained workforce.

“Most importantly, I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass comprehensive ethics reforms. We should hold each other to the standards our constituents should expect of us.

“The next several years will be challenging. I am excited for the future of our state and ready to work to make it a reality.”

Hastings named to Illinois Senate Leadership

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) was named to Senate President Don Harmon’s leadership team as the Majority Caucus Whip Tuesday.

“I am deeply humbled President Harmon has given me the distinct honor of serving on his leadership team,” Hastings said. “I have no doubt that under his leadership we will continue down the right path as we move into the next part of the 101st General Assembly.”

“While we accomplished monumental tasks in 2019, we have our work cut out for us in 2020. First and foremost, the inexcusable culture of corruption and greed in Springfield must end. As elected officials, it is our duty to live up to the oath we took to serve our constituency, and that mandate should not be taken lightly by anyone.”

Hastings’ top priorities for the 2020 legislative session include:
• Investing in clean energy infrastructure
• Continuing to improve mental health care programs
• Increasing efficiency and coordination between state and local government
• Fully funding early childhood education and investing in K-12 programming
• Passing a balanced, bipartisan budget

Hastings has served the 19th Legislative District since 2012, when he was elected as one of the youngest Senators in state history. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to pass legislation with the goal of improving the social and financial climate of the state of Illinois.

Hastings congratulates newly elected Senate President Harmon

 SPRINGFIELD – Following the election of a new Senate President, Senator Michael E. Hastings offered the following statement:

“I want to congratulate President Harmon on the outcome of today’s election. During his time in this chamber, he has demonstrated the ability to lead on important issues and work with our colleagues to achieve a consensus on how to best serve the people of this state,” Hastings (D-Tinley Park) said. “With the spring legislative session quickly approaching, I am eager to move forward and get to work under his leadership.”

Lawmakers will return to Springfield on Jan. 28 for the beginning of the spring legislative session.

“With the implementation of the Rebuild Illinois plan, clean energy reform, continuing the March to Mental Health and working toward solutions to the serious property tax issues we face, these next several months will be crucial for our state,” Hastings said. “I have no doubts that under President Harmon’s leadership, we will accomplish all of these things and much more.”