SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to protect individuals who speak out at public zoning appeal hearings from being sued was recently signed into law. Senate Bill 731 expands provisions regarding reviews of zoning board of appeals decisions to all municipalities, not just Chicago.

“Community members have a right to voice their opinions at zoning hearings without fear of being sued,” Murphy said. “Community input is an important aspect of zoning decisions. This legislation strengthens freedom of speech protections in reviews of zoning board of appeals decisions.”

Senate Bill 731 clarifies that only the zoning board of appeals and applicants that come before the board are considered a “party of record.” The legislation also states that notice must be provided to participants in a zoning hearing of their ability to intervene.

“I hope this law encourages more people to voice their concerns without fear of reprisal,” Murphy said.  

This legislation was developed following a constituent inquiry. It goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2018.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the following statement on the Senate’s action to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, a proposal to improve Illinois’ school funding system:

“Today I voted to override the governor’s veto and reform the school funding system so that all schools in the state are fairly and adequately funded and so that homeowners can enjoy meaningful property tax relief in the future. Illinois’ current system relies too heavily on local property taxes, burdening homeowners across the state.

“Gov. Rauner attempted to insert anti-business provisions into a school funding reform bill when he vetoed it. His changes would have shifted even more of the costs of funding schools onto property tax payers and hurt our communities’ economic development efforts.

“I could not support the governor’s efforts to burden the middle class and homeowners. I proudly voted to fix our school funding system so that schools are adequately funded without overly relying on property taxes.”

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SPRINGFIELD—State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the statement below after Gov. Rauner issued an amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, a proposal that would change how Illinois schools are funded.

“Illinois has among the highest property taxes in the nation, with a majority of those local tax dollars going to schools. Reforming the school funding formula is the only serious way to provide homeowners with meaningful property tax relief.

“Gov. Rauner’s decision to veto Senate Bill 1, which shifts the burden of paying for schools from local property tax dollars onto the state, is truly disappointing. I continue to stand committed to working toward fixing a school funding system that will give homeowners meaningful property tax relief and provide adequate funding for our schools.”

SPRINGFIELD—Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to freeze legislators’ reimbursement rates and salaries was signed into law today. House Bill 643 passed both chambers with bipartisan support and had been on the governor’s desk since June 29.

“Given the state’s recent financial trouble and the fact that most working adults do not receive a cost of living adjustment, this is commonsense legislation to save taxpayers money,” Murphy said. “I’m glad the governor finally signed this bill into law.”

Without this legislation, per diem rates for legislators would have increased from $111 per day to $142 and mileage reimbursements would have climbed from $0.39 to $0.535 per mile.

General Assembly members have not received a cost of living adjustment since fiscal year 2009.