Senate bill advocates for income tax credit for volunteer firefighters

Posted on May 17, 2023
The bill encouraging additional firefighter’s was headed by Senator Christopher Belt of Swansea. (Photo Courtesy of Flickr)

By Jake Fogal

SPRINGFIELD – A bill in the Senate that would provide a $500 state income tax credit for volunteer firefighters is picking up steam in the final week of session down in Springfield.

The proposal asks for the state budget to include an income tax credit, which would support Illinois’ dire need for volunteer firefighters.

State Senator Tom Bennett is pushing this proposal forward. He joined the Scott Miller Show Wednesday morning.

“This is something that I have been working on for a couple years along with some other legislators. In our district, we have 120 to 130 towns, and just a number of volunteers that move one district to another. Again these are volunteers, and what we are trying to do is say thank you,” Bennett said.

Bennett hopes that the motion can cross the finish line this year.

The bill encouraging additional firefighter’s was headed by Senator Christopher Belt of Swansea.

The Spring Legislative Session is slated to adjourn this Friday.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…