It was another busy week across the 26th District and in Springfield. From meeting with local business and community leaders to recognizing an incredible World War II veteran and continuing our work on affordability and accountability, there’s a lot to share with you this week.
As always, I’d love to hear from you. If you ever have any questions, you can always respond to this email!
Topics below include:
- Working to Make Illinois More Affordable for Families and Businesses
- Honoring WWII Veteran Steve Stevenson & Supporting Folds of Honor
- Providing Relief for Illinois Homeowners
- Calling on Attorney General to Investigate Alleged FOIA Abuse
- Free Car Seat Safety Inspection
- Mobile DMV Event in Palatine Township and Ela Township
- Mark Your Calendars! Upcoming Events Near You
- Traveling Office Hours
Working to Make Illinois More Affordable for Families and Businesses
Last week, I had the opportunity to join both the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce & Industry for conversations with local business and community leaders.
One message I continue to hear is that affordability matters to everyone. Families are feeling the pressure of property taxes, utility bills, healthcare costs and everyday expenses. At the same time, our local businesses are dealing with many of those same rising costs while working to create jobs, support their employees and invest in our communities.
Those challenges are connected. We need an Illinois where families can afford to stay and build their lives, and where businesses can afford to grow, hire and invest.
At both events, I appreciated the opportunity to talk about the work I’m doing in Springfield and, more importantly, hear directly from the people who live, work and do business in our communities. In Hoffman Estates, we also discussed issues including energy costs, property taxes, data centers and the importance of giving communities a meaningful voice in development decisions. I am currently sponsoring legislation addressing local authority and standards for data-center development.
These conversations help guide the work I take back to Springfield, and I’ll continue working to make Illinois more affordable for families while creating an environment where our local businesses can succeed.
Honoring WWII Veteran Steve Stevenson & Supporting Folds of Honor
I had the honor of recognizing World War II veteran Duane “Steve” Stevenson with a certificate from the Illinois State Senate.
Steve served our country in Guam, the Philippines and Okinawa during World War II, earning numerous medals and honors for his service. This November, he’ll celebrate his 103rd birthday!!
It was wonderful to spend some time with Steve and recognize his incredible service to our country. Thank you to the Barrington Patriot Golf Day for bringing our community together to support Folds of Honor Chicago, honor veterans, first responders and individuals like Steve who have given so much in service to others.
Photography of the event generously provided by: Quintessential Barrington and Linda M Barrett Productions.
Providing Relief for Illinois Homeowners
Buying a home is a major milestone, but for many Illinois families, the financial pressure doesn’t stop once they get the keys. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, utility bills and other rising costs can make it harder to afford the home they worked so hard to purchase.
That’s why I’m working on several proposals aimed at providing relief at different stages of homeownership.
SB 3868 would double Illinois’ residential Property Tax Credit from 5% to 10%, while SB 3849 would tie the General Homestead Exemption to inflation. For seniors, SB 4029 would help ensure inflation alone doesn’t push someone out of eligibility for the Senior Property Tax Freeze.
I’m also working to address other rising household costs. SB 3848 would provide tax relief for qualifying homeowners facing increases in insurance premiums, and SB 2687, the Home Utility Relief Act, would provide utility bill relief for struggling families.
And for those trying to purchase their first home, SB 3959 would create a $500 state income tax credit for eligible first-time homebuyers.
Whether you’re saving for your first home, raising a family in one, or hoping to stay in the home you’ve owned for decades, these costs matter. I’ll continue looking for ways to make homeownership more affordable for Illinois families.
Calling on Attorney General to Investigate Alleged FOIA Abuse
I recently joined my colleagues in calling on Attorney General Kwame Raoul to investigate concerns that Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) may be misused in some cases to generate lawsuits and settlement demands for financial gain.
Let me be clear: FOIA is an important transparency law, and the public’s right to access government information must be protected. Our concern is not with legitimate public records requests. We are asking the Attorney General to determine whether there is a pattern of requests, litigation and settlement demands that constitutes misuse of the law and whether any of this conduct could rise to the level of fraudulent activity.
According to information collected by the Illinois Municipal League, 689 municipalities responded to a survey as of August 28. Of those respondents, 41.2% reported that FOIA requests had increased by more than 50% over the previous five years, while another 25.4% reported increases between 25% and 50%.
We have also heard concerns from local governments about repetitive or formulaic requests followed by threatened court action. For smaller fire districts, drainage districts and townships with limited budgets and staff, responding to these requests and potential litigation can place a significant burden on local resources.
Transparency and accountability matter. So does making sure a law designed to serve the public isn’t deliberately exploited for financial gain. These concerns deserve a closer look, and taxpayers deserve answers.
You can view the letter to the Attorney General here.
Free Car Seat Safety Inspection
Did you know it is Child Passenger Safety Week? As a mom of three, I remember that stage of life when you’re constantly checking and rechecking everything to make sure your kids are safe, especially when it comes to their car seats.
That’s why I’m inviting you to join me and the Algonquin Police Department for a FREE Car Seat Safety Inspection on Saturday, September 26.
Certified car seat technicians will be there to make sure your child’s car seat or booster seat is installed correctly and fits your child properly. They can also answer questions about harness fit, recalls, expiration dates and other car seat safety tips.
When: Saturday, September 26 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Where: Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Dr., Algonquin
Note: Please use the lower-level entrance off Stonegate Road.
If you have a little one in a car seat or booster seat, I hope you’ll stop by. A few minutes of checking can give you peace of mind knowing your child is riding as safely as possible.
I hope to see you there!
Mobile DMV Event in Palatine Township and Ela Township
Need to renew your driver’s license or state ID? I’m partnering with Palatine Township and Ela Township to bring convenient Secretary of State services directly to our communities with two upcoming Mobile DMV events.
Palatine Township Mobile DMV Event
Wednesday, September 30 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Palatine Township
721 S. Quentin Rd., Suite 101, Palatine
Register for the Palatine event
Ela Township Mobile DMV Event
Thursday, October 22 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ela Township Community Center
380 Surryse Road, Lake Zurich
Register for the Lake Zurich event
Residents will have access to several services, including driver’s license renewals and corrections, state ID services, organ and tissue donor registration, and vehicle sticker purchases. REAL ID services will also be available at the Lake Zurich event.
Please note that driver’s tests will not be administered. Appointments are required and space is limited.
My office is always looking for ways to make state services more accessible and convenient. I hope these events make it a little easier to take care of your DMV business close to home!
Mark Your Calendars! Upcoming Events Near You
There’s something happening all year long across the 26th District! I am hosting these events to connect residents with valuable resources, services, educational seminars, family activities, and opportunities to get involved.
September Events
🛡️ Hawthorn Woods Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar
Wednesday, September 23 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
The Barn at Village Hall
2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047
🚗 Free Car Seat Safety Inspection
Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Algonquin Police Department
2200 Harnish Dr., Algonquin, IL 60102
🚙 Palatine Township Mobile DMV Event
Wednesday, September 30 | 10:00 AM
721 S. Quentin Rd., Suite 101, Palatine, IL 60067
👵 Wauconda Senior Health Fair
Wednesday, September 30 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wauconda Township
505 West Bonner Road, Wauconda, IL 60084
October Events
📄 Free Shred Day & Community Food Drive
Saturday, October 3 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Algonquin Township Office
3702 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake
Tuesday, October 6 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Fremont Township
22385 W. Route 60, Mundelein, IL 60060
Wednesday, October 7 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
200 South Hough Street, Barrington, IL 60010
Thursday, October 15 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The Barn at Village Hall
2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods
Wednesday, October 21 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
505 S. Quentin Road, Palatine, IL 60067
Thursday, October 22 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
380 Surryse Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047
November Events
🇺🇸 Free Veteran Appreciation Luncheon and Expo
Sunday, November 15 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
365 Surryse Rd., Ste. 280, Lake Zurich
Stay tuned for more events to be added! Visit www.senatordarbyhills.com/events to follow along and learn more details.
Traveling Office Hours
We’re bringing our office to you! Need help with a state agency, have questions about legislation or state government, or want to share your thoughts on issues affecting our community? Stop by one of our Traveling Office Hours to meet with members of our team.
Our Staff Can Help With:
- Assistance with state agencies and services
- Questions about legislation and state government
- Information about Senator Hills’ legislative priorities
- Concerns or ideas affecting our communities
- Connecting residents with available state resources
Upcoming Locations:
- Palatine Traveling Office Hours, Sept. 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Lake Zurich Traveling Office Hours, Sept. 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Libertyville Traveling Office Hours, Sept. 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Mundelein Traveling Office Hours, Oct. 1st from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
We’re committed to making our office accessible and being available to the people we represent. Stop by one of these locations, say hello, and let us know how we can help.
As always, my office is here to help if you have any questions or need assistance with anything. You can contact us here or call (224)662-4544.
Yours truly,
Senator Darby Hills