State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) joined Senate Democratic colleagues to introduce a plan that provides tax refunds worth $1.8 billion to benefit most Illinoisans. The Pay It Forward Plan includes provisions to expand the state’s earned income tax credit (EIC) to support low-income families and includes people who use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN.)

“The earned income tax credit is one of the most effective anti-poverty policies to help low-to-moderate-income families out of poverty through promoting work and expanding economic security,” Aquino said. “We are signaling to the most at-risk communities that we have not forgotten about them. It’s the working families in all corners of our state facing the struggles.”

Aquino’s measure is part of a comprehensive approach led by the Senate Democrats to ease the impact of high inflation and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislative package includes temporarily eliminating state taxes on back-to-school shopping and stopping higher gas taxes, expanding the earned income tax credit, and property tax refunds statewide.

Senator Aquino’s provision of the package will increase the state’s earned income tax credit to 19% of the federal earned income tax credit. It also expands the credit to those who use an ITIN to file taxes and taxpayers aged 18-24 and 65, and older who would otherwise qualify for the federal earned income tax credit.

The legislation, Senate Bill 1150, was filed in the Senate and is expected to be voted on in the coming days.

SPRINGFIELD – Drivers would no longer lose their licenses over unpaid tickets and other non-moving violations under a bill introduced by State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) that was unanimously approved by the Senate Transportation Committee today.

“For years the City of Chicago has preyed on low-income black and Hispanic communities by coercing them with the threat of having their license suspended,” said Aquino. “In 2016, the city made $264 million by taking what little money that our low-income residents have. I cannot stand by while my city balances its budget on the backs of black and brown communities.”

According to data analysis done by ProPublica Illinois, 44 percent of license suspensions issued were to residents in black communities and 54 percent of license suspensions issued were to residents in low-income communities.

Senate Bill 1786 would remove the Secretary of State’s authority to suspend or revoke licenses for failure to pay certain fees including parking tickets and non-moving violations.

“Without reliable public transportation, you can’t realistically expect someone who has accrued fees to pay them if you take away their ability to drive,” said Aquino. “That just threatens the livelihood of those who live in rural areas without public transportation. The current practice is just another way to punish people for being poor.”

Senate Bill 1786 is scheduled for consideration before the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) is condemning a decision by Dwight, Illinois village trustees to annex 88 acres of land to host a potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immigrant detention facility.

“It is disgusting that the village trustees value construction jobs over the human rights of immigrants,” said Aquino. “ICE has consistently violated human rights to carry out the president’s racist agenda of deporting immigrants of color, and they are not welcome to carry out that agenda in my state.”

ICE is looking to build a $20 million detention facility near Illinois 17 and Interstate 55. Village trustees voted 5-2 to annex the property there and have been in talks with ICE to facilitate the construction of the site.

Several hundred individuals in Central Illinois protested the consideration of the facility and the Dwight Village Board meeting erupted with anger as village trustees voted in favor of construction.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Omar Aquino’s (D-Chicago) bill exempting certain health products from the state sales tax passed the Senate Revenue Committee today.

Senate Bill 1858 exempts male and female condoms, incontinence products, diapers and baby wipes from the state’s sales tax. Under the current law, these items are taxed at the same rate as luxury goods.

“People who need these health products shouldn’t be subject to an additional financial burden,” said Aquino. “In most cases the people who are purchasing these health products young families who are just starting out. They have enough financial hardship as it is, and we need to remove the added cost on these items.”

In 2016, the state repealed the sales tax on tampons and other feminine hygiene products for similar reasons. That bill passed the Senate and House unanimously and was signed by Gov. Rauner.

Senate Bill 1858 now goes before the entire Senate for a vote.