Fresh off the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session, State Senator Scott Bennett spoke before a small group at the Georgetown City Hall Tuesday night about some of the information coming out of Springfield.
Bennett said he was frustrated that the state senate did not go far enough in addressing corruption and ethics investigations which have rocked the state capitol in recent weeks. He said the General Assembly should make sure good legislation is not used to benefit political allies.
“Particularly this year, when we passed the capital bill. There’s other projects, and there’s a suggestion that some of the legislators found ways to align themselves with certain companies that would make sure that the money doesn’t get where it’s supposed to go, which is projects in the community.”
Much of last night’s discussion focused on property taxes, particularly those paid by landowners. Bennett said many districts have high property taxes because of the state budget crisis during former Governor Bruce Rauner’s administration. He did say, however, that he favors tying property taxes in with school funding.
“If there’s a way to do this, it’s to say ‘OK, but if Springfield’s giving an additional $600,000 or $1 million to Georgetown-Ridge Farm, then the school district has to find a way to bring your property taxes down by that same amount.”
Senator Bennett also highlighted the passage of the Coal Ash Pollution Protection Act, which protects the Vermilion River, and said he agrees with the opt-out provision included in the state’s recreational cannabis law for municipal governments.
[**Note: Photo is file photo of Senator Bennett.]
