“The problem facing the Southland Region is when our

manufacturing and industrial jobs left, nothing replaced them,” DeLuca said. “What has happened is without those main economic drivers other businesses disappeared, leaving too many empty commercial properties. That economic absence has caused the local tax base to shrink, which has forced a higher property tax burden on residents.”

DeLuca’s House Bill 1842 would create a special designation

for commercial or industrial zoned properties that previously went vacant for over a year or more. Under this legislation, properties must be located within the following townships of Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Rich, Thornton or Worth to be eligible. The benefit for those that would apply for and receive this designation, is that their property value would now be assessed 50% of the last known assessment and receive a property tax cap. A direct result from this can lead to lower property taxes for homeowners.

“This legislation can help jump start and expand our local

economy by encouraging businesses to locate into the area,” DeLuca said. “It will help provide much-needed jobs for those that lost theirs in the pandemic, as well as greatly aid in reducing the property tax burden on local home owners

by expanding the tax base.”

For more information, please contact DeLuca’s constituent service office at 708-754-7900 or repdeluca@sbcglobal.net.

Illinois 80th District includes portions of:

Townships: Bloom, Crete, Florence, Frankfort, Green Garden, Manhattan, Monee, New Lenox, Peotone, Rich, and Wilton

Municipalities: Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Frankfort, Glenwood, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Manhattan, Matteson, Mokena, Monee, New Lenox, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, South Chicago Heights, Steger, Symerton University Park, and Wilmington