Dear friend,
From budget decisions in Springfield to helpful summer safety tips, a lot is happening that impacts your family, and I’m here to make sure you stay informed. While lawmakers approved of a record-high state budget and debated several new tax ideas, I remain focused on protecting taxpayers and pushing for more responsible spending that puts families first. In this update, you’ll also find heat safety reminders from IEMA and important information from the Department of Revenue if you missed the April tax deadline. Whether it’s fighting for smart policies or sharing helpful tools and resources, I’m here to serve you.
Darby Hills
Illinois State Senator, 26th District
Illinois Breaks Revenue Record but Taxpayers Still Face Higher Bills
Illinois families are already feeling the pinch of higher prices, yet state government continues to grow at a rapid pace. This year, Governor Pritzker and his allies passed the largest budget in state history, despite record revenues totaling $54 billion. The new spending plan includes nearly $1 billion in additional taxes, along with short-term budget maneuvers that raise serious concerns about the long-term stability of our state’s finances.
Over the past six years, state spending has increased by nearly 40 percent. Meanwhile, working families are doing everything they can to stretch their paychecks and keep up with the rising cost of living.
During the spring session, several concerning tax proposals were discussed —everything from a $1.50 delivery tax that would’ve hit groceries and baby formula delivered to your house, to new taxes on essential services like car repairs, haircuts, and small business advertising. Thankfully, those proposals didn’t make it into the final budget, but they remain on the table for future consideration. Instead of finding new ways to take more from taxpayers, I believe state leaders must start budgeting the way Illinois families do — by living within our means, prioritizing what matters most, and protecting every dollar of taxpayer money.
July is Extreme Heat Safety Month
July is recognized as Extreme Heat Safety Month, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are teaming up together to highlight the importance of staying safe during high temperatures.
IEMA-OHS is urging residents to recognize the serious risks that extreme heat poses to you, your family, and your pets. Extreme heat is defined as prolonged periods (at least 2-3 days) of high temperatures over 90 degrees, often combined with high humidity.
Here are some ways IEMA-OHS recommends you stay safe during the extreme weather:
- Hydrate with water, not caffeinated or alcoholic beverages
- Wear light-colored, lightweight, and loose-fitting clothing
- Avoid strenuous activity during midday
- Use awnings or curtains indoors to deflect the sun
- Fans will move air around, but they do not lower the temperature
- Use air conditioning inside your home or visit a store or local mall
- Know your local cooling centers in Illinois
- Never leave children or pets in a vehicle
- Get trained in first aid to help those with heat illness
- Check on neighbors and the elderly who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat
For more information about heat safety, click here.
IDOR Urges Late Tax Filers to Act Now
The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers who missed the April 15, 2025, deadline that there’s still time to file, and that filing promptly can help lower any penalties and interest owed.
Illinois grants an automatic six-month extension to file individual income tax returns, moving the deadline to October 15, 2025. However, this does not extend the time to pay taxes owed. Taxpayers expecting to owe must submit payment using Form IL-505-I (Automatic Extension Payment for Individuals) to avoid penalties on unpaid balances not paid by April 15, 2025.
To avoid future filing issues, IDOR recommends:
- Filing electronically through MyTax Illinois
- Using direct deposit or debit for faster processing
- Setting reminders and signing up for email updates at tax.illinois.gov
For more information, visit tax.illinois.gov.
Recycle and Shred Event
♻️ Thank you to everyone who came out to our Recycle & Shred Event in Lake Zurich!
Because of your participation, we were able to safely shred documents, recycle electronics, and collect eyeglasses, hearing aids, and flags from members of our community. A big thank-you to Paper Tiger, the Lake Zurich Lions Club, and the American Legion for helping make the event a success!