SE Illinois News

A group of House Republican lawmakers in Illinois has introduced a set of bills aimed at providing financial relief to working families amid rising costs for goods and services. The legislative package, known as Relief for Working Families, includes proposals to support entrepreneurship, allow tipped employees to retain all gratuities, and expand technical skill-building opportunities.

Rep. Brad Stephens is sponsoring House Bill 1752, which would create an income tax deduction for employers who provide educational assistance to their employees. "Too often the people in the Capitol focus on the wrong solutions: overregulation, tax increases and overspending will not fix our state. We can’t cut our way out of these budget issues. We must grow our economy," said Stephens. "With this bill package, we can provide tangible financial relief for hardworking, taxpaying Illinoisans and begin to reshape our state into a destination not only for families, but for students, small businesses, and licensed professionals."

House Bill 1351, filed by Rep. Kyle Moore as the Reducing Barriers to Start Act, aims to eliminate first-year business fees related to licensing or registration for new businesses. According to the U.S Treasury, small businesses have generated more than 70 percent of net new jobs since 2019 by reducing barriers that hinder business startups.

Education initiatives are also central to the legislative package. Rep. Mike Coffey is backing House Bill 1729—the Reinvest in Future Technical Careers Act—which would offer tax credits for contributions made toward scholarships supporting students attending technical academies. Coffey explained that feedback from his district highlighted workforce shortages in technical fields such as plumbing and electrical work. "This bill has really come about from conversations I have had during my ‘Mike on Main Street’ tour across the district meeting with different businesses. One common theme has come up every time: we don’t have enough workforce, we need more help," Coffey said. "They say ‘We don’t have the technical support to fill these positions.’ So the hope is these scholarships will help train individuals to get into the workforce. We need more plumbers, we need more pipefitters, we need more electricians so that we can grow and build Illinois, and that’s the point of this."

Rep. Kevin Schmidt’s HB 3807 would establish the Illinois Trades Retention and Development Encouragement (ITRADE) grant program to assist students pursuing degrees or certifications in trades such as electrical work and construction. Deputy Republican Leader Ryan Spain introduced House Bill 3821 to double the current education expense income tax credit from $750 to $1500 per year.

"Many students decide to attend a technical school after graduating high school and this bill promotes the skilled trade industry and helps eligible students receive scholarship funds to pursue a degree or certificate from a qualified technical school in Illinois," Schmidt said. "It’s important every student has the opportunity to excel in a career after graduating high school, and this bill is aimed to do just that."

Manufacturing companies in Illinois have cited difficulties filling positions due partly to a lack of licensed educators in trades-related fields. To address this issue, Rep. Jed Davis introduced House Bill 1112 which would allow highly skilled trade workers without bachelor’s degrees to become educators.

Additionally, Deputy Leader Spain's House Bill 1383 proposes an income tax deduction on state returns for gratuities reported by tipped workers on their federal returns.

Despite championing these measures during the spring legislative session, House Republicans saw them blocked by Democrats but plan renewed efforts when lawmakers return in October.

"This package is called Relief for Working Families because that’s what it will provide," Moore said. "From furthering your education to starting a new business or simply keeping more of your hard-earned money in your own pocket. Working families need and deserve a break. Together, these measures provide a great start to supporting working families and helping set them up for success."

Windhorst was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois' 117th District in 2023 after succeeding Natalie Phelps Finnie.