SPRINGFIELD – Homeowners and small businesses across the South Suburbs will see decreases in their property tax bills under a new state grant program that seeks to provide relief to school districts in high-taxed areas.

The Property Tax Relief Grant was included in the historic school funding reform law that has already provided millions of dollars in new state funds to school districts that need it the most. In the first year alone, the 40th Senate District received nearly $10 million in additional state funding.

“Communities with little property wealth have been forced to increase their taxes year after year, placing a high burden on homeowners and small businesses and cheating students out of a quality education,” State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) said. “For many South Suburban communities, this has only increased economic disinvestment and neighborhood stagnation.”

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Two-hundred years ago today, Illinois became the nation’s 21^st state.

In recognition of our bicentennial, State Senator Toi Hutchinson highlighted the Kankakee County Courthouse, its history and impact on Illinois’ rich past and its bright potential.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) announced the release of a $1.8 million grant to help reopen the Kankakee River State Park’s campgrounds to visitors.

“This is welcomed news for Kankakee residents who have missed the opportunity to enjoy these public lands for the last three to four summers,” Hutchinson said. “I am excited to see families and visitors at the Chippewa and Potawatomi campgrounds again.”

The money for the campgrounds was included in the FY19 budget and is a part of more than $14 million in capital improvement projects at state parks and recreation areas managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The Potawatomi campground closed before the 2015 season for planned improvement and the Chippewa site closed after the 2015 season due to a failed water well. These closures have been cited as a reason for recent attendance decline at Kankakee River State Park.

The campgrounds are expected to reopen in spring 2019.

State Senator Toi Hutchinson released the following statement ahead of the verdict in the trial of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who was charged with murder in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald:

"In thinking about the coming Laquan McDonald case verdict, we know that the fight for civil rights has a long and storied history.

"For those that weren’t directly part of the struggle, the memories of the pain, bloodshed, death and hope that a new day was coming have been sanitized by distance and time. But they are still etched in the souls of those who have died or lost loved ones to allow us to claim our space and continue the fight. 

"Remember that what we fight for has to be bigger and bolder than what we fight against. In light of all of our frustrations, we must move from being dissatisfied to being proactive. Register to vote and actually show up and do it. Find a non-profit directly engaging in the delivery of services that you are passionate about.
 
""Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod..." We sing, we march, we pray, and we gather because we know our work is not done. We know our voices matter, even when it appears that our very lives do not.

"In the coming days, the voices of the disenfranchised will be heard: “no justice no peace.” It is time for us to decide what piece we play in moving toward justice. Every single one of us. No matter what this verdict brings."