Welch Highlights Affordability Measures at Westchester, Zion Town Hall Meetings
WESTCHESTER, Ill. – Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch discussed House Democrats’ affordability agenda with community members in Westchester and Zion last week, holding town hall meetings to highlight significant measures to crack down on junk fees, deliver property tax relief, cap insurance costs, and cut home utility bills while also listening to the needs of local residents.
“Every part of our state sees and feels what’s going wrong in Washington. Shortsighted policies are raising the cost of everything families buy every day, from utility bills, to groceries, to gas. But worst of all, it makes people feel like Washington just isn’t listening,” Welch said. “A better Illinois begins with listening. It means doing what we can to cut costs. I truly appreciate the people who came out to share their thoughts—because when we hear from people in our communities, we can keep moving Illinois in a better direction and we can tell Washington exactly what we expect.”
Welch used the House’s week-long district work period to update people about the work being in Springfield to cut costs and help working people make ends meet, first at a town hall meeting with his constituents in Westchester and then traveling to Zion to participate in an affordability town hall with colleague Rep. Joyce Mason.
While Washington’s agenda has raised the cost of every purchase from groceries, to home energy, to the cost of gas, Welch and House Democrats have focused on affordability be advancing key measures to:
Expand generation of clean energy, ensure everyone benefits from the savings produced by wind and solar energy, and lower utility costs immediately and in the long-term. (Senate Bill 25)
Require retailers to honor advertised savings from digital coupons, even if customers do not have smartphone access or cannot locate the coupon on the app. (House Bill 45)
Crack down on the hidden junk fees that make everyday purchases more expensive by requiring show all fees up front, empowering families to shop for an honest price that fits their budgets. (House Bill 228)
Curb skyrocketing insurance costs by empowering experts to reject home and auto insurance rates that only pad corporate profits, and making insurance companies give proper notice before hitting customers with double-digit increases. (Senate Bill 1486)
Bring fairness and transparency to home rentals by requiring landlords to clearly show all additional fees before a lease is signed, and banning additional fees for pest control, routine maintenance, and background checks.
Incentivize transformative development projects statewide, while also delivering real property tax relief for homeowners. Payments that large-scale developers negotiate with communities will be used to support property tax rebates to homeowners in that community and across the state. (House Bill 910)
