Senator Toi W. Hutchinson News

“Our plan is the best of a bad situation, and it provides more than the House’s alternative – even though it still lacks funding in some areas. I won’t stop negotiating until I feel comfortable that the budget does not place an unfair burden on the people who rely on our state’s most vital services, like education and human services.” – State Senator Toi Hutchinson

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Senate this evening sent their own budget plan to the Illinois House that falls within the conservative $33.719 billion revenue estimate agreed upon by both chambers earlier this year.

State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), who serves as chair of the Senate Revenue committee, supported the plan with some reservations – specifically the lack of funding for Dwight Correctional Facility and education as well as only partial funding for Tinley Park Mental Health Center; but she said the Senate’s work is not finished.

Read more: Hutchinson: Senate budget plan leaves room for negotiation

“By ensuring criminals are held more accountable, we can send the message that seniors and persons with disabilities are protected and looked after in Illinois.”

- State Senator Toi Hutchinson

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Criminals who financially exploit Illinois seniors will be held more accountable under legislation passed through the Senate today by Illinois Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights).

“We must continue to address the growing problem of financial abuse of Illinois seniors,” Senator Hutchinson said. “These types of crimes can ruin the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents. By ensuring criminals are held more accountable, we can send the message that seniors and persons with disabilities are protected and looked after in our communities.”

Read more: Hutchinson legislation to fight financial abuse of the elderly, persons with disabilities

“Everyone recognizes that job creation is our number one priority and by ensuring the timetables are met, we can further accelerate economic development in our state and region.”

Plans for the Illiana Expressway project received a major boost thanks to legislation passed today by State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights). Senate Bill 3318 will streamline the planning process in the hopes that ground can be broken on the project by 2016.

The Illiana Expressway is expected to bring in over $6 billion in investment over a thirty-year period. Construction is expected to create up to 4,300 short-term construction jobs and 13,800 long-term jobs in northeastern Illinois.

“We are moving full steam ahead on the Illiana Expressway to spur economic development in the region,” Hutchinson said. “We want to continue to see improvement in the state and local economy. This measure will help facilitate job growth and interstate commerce both now and in the future. This is a vastly important investment in the economic future of our region.”

The Illiana Expressway Act became law in 2012, laying the groundwork for a highway connecting Illinois’ Interstate-55 and Indiana’s Interstate-65. The project represented a partnership transcending both party and state lines in an organized effort that prioritized the goal of economic growth.

“Legislators and Governors of all political stripes came together to set this project in motion,” Hutchinson stated. “Everyone recognizes that job creation is our number one priority and by ensuring that the timetables are met, we can further accelerate economic development in our state and region.”

After passing the Senate, the legislation now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration.

“My goal is to ensure that we can continue to help those fighting hunger in Illinois, and I don’t believe we should discontinue their check-off just because they failed to raise $7607.04.” - Senator Hutchinson

Illinois Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) passed legislation out of the Senate today that will allow the Hunger Relief Check-off to remain on Illinois tax forms.

“We need to continue to help those fighting hunger in Illinois,” Hutchinson said. “I don’t believe we should discontinue this tax check-off just because it failed to raise $7607.04.”

A tax check-off is a way for a charitable organization to receive donations.  A tax payer only has to mark a box on their state tax forms and a set amount of money is taken out of their tax returns and given to the organization.

Current law requires organizations to receive minimum of $100,000 in donations to remain on Illinois tax forms.  The Hunger Relief Check-off had raised $92,392.96 as of January 30, 2011. However, they were removed from this year’s tax forms because of the slight deficit. 

Senate Bill 3320 will put Hunger Relief back onto the 2012 income tax return form, which will be due in April of 2013.  The Hunger Relief Fund received the most donations of any fund below $100,000. 

The funds that are generated from this check-off are appropriated by the Department of Human Services to food banks across the state. 

According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, there can be a maximum of 15 check-offs in each year on Illinois tax forms, however, only five funds from last year met the minimum requirement. 

Senate Snapshot:

What: SB 3320 passed the Senate

The Vote:  53-0-0

Lead Senate Sponsor: Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights)

Next: Goes to the House of Representatives for consideration

Measure increases standard exemption, Earned Income Tax Credit

CHICAGO, IL- Governor Quinn signed legislation today that will provide direct tax relief for working Illinoisans with an increase in the standard exemption as well as an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  Senate Bill 400, sponsored by State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), is the second of two major economic development bills passed by the General Assembly in mid-December. 

Read more: Tax Relief for Illinois Families Signed by Governor