The need to increase property tax is due to Illinois requiring local police and fire pension funds to reach 90 percent funding by 2040. Homewood’s Police Pension Fund currently is funded at 55 percent, and the Fire Pension Fund is at 72.2 percent. The village must contribute $2.98 million to the police fund and $985,580 to the fire fund next year to stay on track.

“For roughly 25 years, the Democrats have controlled state government — and Cook County far longer. When only one party governs, accountability disappears. Good ideas are blocked without debate, and failed policies continue. Bills that can help never receive hearings, let alone get to the floor for votes. Not because they lack merit, but because the majority party has absolute control over the process and refuses to allow debate.”

The proposal calls on the Illinois Department of Insurance to utilize a new formula to calculate minimum reimbursement rates for providers and publish them in a bulletin for insurance companies. Sponsors said proper compensation could encourage more behavioral healthcare specialists to join insurance networks.

The diversion of the cannabis funds, along with personal spending reductions, is an effort by the city to prevent a $3.7 million budget deficit. Supporters argue that without the diversion, the city would have raised taxes or cut city services.

Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, reintroduced the HIRE Act to double the H-1B visa cap from 65,000 to 130,000.

The city is looking to make cuts across the board, particularly in the city’s general fund, to cover the remaining $5 million in pensions that will not be covered by revenue from the property tax levy.

A comprehensive look by Illinois’ Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

Her appearance came on the same day as federal agents deployed tear gas and pepper spray during an immigration operation in suburban Elgin.