SPRINGFIELD – Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) issued the following statement in response to Governor Rauner’s State of the State address:

“While Governor Rauner has a good record of talking about bipartisanship and the need to work together to turn our state around, his actions over the past three years say otherwise. Since he took office, Rauner has repeatedly refused to compromise and at times blocked bipartisan efforts to move our state forward and pass a balanced budget. Governor Rauner is quick to blame others for our state’s problems, but has failed to provide meaningful solutions. I truly hope that this year the governor takes charge and follows his calls to reach across the aisle.”

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Lake County residents whose property was damaged from the historic floods of July 2017 may be eligible for a Natural Disaster Income Tax Credit thanks to a new law from Senator Melinda Bush.

This income tax credit is for qualified real property that was damaged as a result of the flood event in July 2017. No other events can be considered for this. This credit can be obtained for up to $750, based upon information provided.

• The property must be the principal residence of the owner
• If the property is leased, the owner is not eligible for this credit
• Certain business properties can apply for this credit (details listed on the certificate)
• Only losses related to qualified real property can be considered for this tax credit
• Properties that received or will receive a Natural Disaster Homestead Exemption for property taxes do not qualify for this credit

Items a property owner will need to provide to a Township Assessor or the County Assessor as a part of the certification process:

• A property owner will need to complete a proforma IRS Form 4684, as well a Natural Disaster Income Tax Credit Certificate
• Property owners will need to provide their Township Assessor or the County Assessor with proof of loss in the form of receipts, estimates, invoices, insurance claims or other validation to claim the income tax credit

Please bring completed forms and proof of loss documentation to your local Township Assessor's Office or the Chief County Assessment Office (CCAO). The information will then be evaluated to:

• Determine whether the property owner has already received a benefit with a Natural Disaster Homestead Exemption
• Determine the amount of the credit to be received

The township assessor or CCAO will review the information submitted, and complete and provide you with a copy of the certificate if you qualify for the Natural Disaster Income Tax Credit.

Steps to take after being certified by Township Assessor or County Assessment Office:

1. Review "PTAX-555 Natural Disaster Certificate" document prior to filing taxes.
2. Choose to file Illinois Taxes by paper or online at Illinois Department of Revenue's website. https://mytax.illinois.gov/_/
3. Fill out Schedule 1299-C - Consult page 3 of the "PTAX-555 Natural Disaster Certificate" for instructions
4. Upon completion of IL-1040 use the "attach document" link to upload the Tax Credit Certificate received from township assessor or county assessment office

Note: You may electronically file your 2017 individual or business income tax return and claim the credit on the respective Schedule 1299. Make sure your certificate number is correct.

If a property owner has questions on the income tax credit, they can call the Illinois Department of Revenue at 1-800-732-8866 or visit their website at tax.illinois.gov.

Forms:

• Instructions for Form 4684
• IRS Form 4684
• PTAX-555 Natural Disaster Certificate
• IRS Publication 547
• Schedule 1299-C
• IL-1040

SPRINGFIELD – As the 2018 tax filing season officially begins, Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is reminding Lake County residents whose property was damaged during last year’s floods that they may qualify for her $750 Natural Disaster Income Tax Credit.

“With tax season officially underway, it’s important that local residents know about the Natural Disaster Income Tax Credit and are able to take full advantage of it,” Bush said. “Last year’s flooding cost Lake County residents thousands of dollars in damage. Representative Yingling and I created the Natural Disaster Income Tax Credit to provide relief to those who were financially impacted by the floods.”

To claim the Natural Disaster Income Tax Credit, individuals must submit a completed IRS Form 4684 and provide proof of loss documentation to their local township assessor’s office.

The required forms can be found here. Individuals with questions about the tax credit should call her district office at 847-548-5631.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Senate Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Awareness and Prevention held its first meeting yesterday in Chicago. The task force was created by Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake), who also serves as a co-chair.

“For far too long, victims of sexual harassment and discrimination have been ignored and intimidated by a system that has allowed perpetrators to go unchecked,” Bush said. “This task force intends to rectify that.”

The task force was created in response to the recent wave of harassment allegations in Illinois and throughout the country. The group will conduct a comprehensive review of the legal and social consequences of sexual harassment and discrimination, and will make recommendations on how to combat them in Illinois.

“There is a reckoning taking place across the country,” Bush said. “It has become clear that the current process has failed victims. We need to make changes to provide a timely and fair process that ensures claims are investigated and justice is served.”

The first meeting included presentations from experts on the current protocol for reporting sexual discrimination and harassment and the options victims have for seeking justice. The task force will meet monthly during the next year and will submit recommendations to the General Assembly by December 31, 2018.

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