McLean County Times

Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie has expressed concerns over the consequences of the Democrats' SAFE-T Act, stating that it has emboldened criminals and demoralized law enforcement. In response, a new package of bills has been introduced by the House Republican Truth in Public Safety (TIPS) Working Group to restore law and order in communities. McCombie highlighted the importance of these bills, including HB 5120, HB 5121, and HB 5126, which aim to expand detainable offenses, enable the revocation of pre-trial release, and revert back to previous court processes.

Furthermore, to support the recruitment of first responders, HB 5122 has been filed to create a $500 tax credit for full-time police officers, firefighters, and rescue workers. Additionally, HB 5123 will establish an annual recruit training program for law enforcement and county corrections training. McCombie emphasized that these proposed bills will contribute to making crime illegal again in Illinois.

In a separate development, the Illinois State Police announced an increase in starting pay for new State Troopers, with new recruits set to earn over $90,000 upon graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy starting July 1, 2024.

House Bill 4119, introduced recently, aims to prohibit elected officials from using political campaign donations for criminal defense. Leader McCombie underscored the significance of this measure, particularly in light of the ongoing Ethics Awareness Month. The bill seeks to close a loophole that has allowed individuals like former Speaker Mike Madigan to use campaign funds for legal fees related to federal corruption charges.

Illinois recently received a dubious distinction as MoneyGeek named it the least tax-friendly state in the U.S. The state's median families are required to pay approximately 13% of their income in state and local taxes, with property taxes being a significant contributor to this burden. Illinois was graded an "F" for tax unfriendliness, ranking at the bottom of the list alongside states like Connecticut and New Jersey.

Among neighboring states, Indiana and Kentucky received higher grades for their tax-friendliness due to lower government spending and comprehensive tax reform efforts. Meanwhile, states without personal income tax, such as Florida and Washington, earned top grades for their tax-friendly policies.

In local news, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie thanked the Livingston County Farm Bureau for hosting discussions on important legislative matters in Springfield. Additionally, the Illinois Manufacturers' Association's Makers Madness competition is ongoing, allowing residents to vote for the Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.

These developments highlight the ongoing efforts to address public safety concerns, ethical considerations, and tax issues in Illinois.