SPRINGFIELD – Residents of the South Suburbs will see a reduction in their property tax bills as a result of a school funding reform law offering relief to school districts with high taxes.

“Funding our schools through property taxes has been a burden for our communities for countless years and it’s great to see that some homeowners and small businesses will see that burden lessened.” Jones said. “I’m glad to see that Patton School District will see the benefit of this.”

The school district who’s eligible for the tax relief grant:
• Gen. George Patton School District 133: $170,552.13

Eligible schools districts must submit an abatement resolution to their county clerks by March 30. If the school district qualifies, the ISBE will issue the grants to the schools who are most suitable.
“Education will always be a top agenda for our state, but we also need to ensure that the impact of education funding falls upon our residents fairly,” Jones said. “This is a big step toward achieving that.”
For more information, the Property Tax Relief Grant and a listing of each eligible school district can be found at www.ISBE.net/proptaxrelief.

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SPRINGFIELD – Advocating for public safety, protecting health care and improving criminal justice laws will continue to be priorities for State Senator Emil Jones III, who was sworn in for another term today at the Illinois Capitol.

Jones first was elected to the Senate in 2009.

“Knowing the atmosphere is changing with the 101st General Assembly gives me confidence that I will be able to do more for my district and the state,” Jones said. “I look forward to tackling the issues facing Illinois, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue representing the 14th District.”    

Read more: Jones to continue fighting for health care, public safety

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) released the following statement concerning the investigation of the death of Jemel Roberson, a security guard working at Manny’s Blue Room in the village of Robbins, who was shot by a Midlothian police officer early Sunday morning:

“Police are shooting people of color far too often. It’s time to be more aggressive in our response to these incidents.

“I call for the immediate termination of the officer who shot and killed Jemel Roberson. Regardless of the findings of the investigation, this officer has already shown he lacks the basic professional judgment to wear the badge and serve our communities in a law enforcement capacity.

“As we learn more about the case, I will continue to do all I can to ensure that justice prevails.”

CHICAGO—State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to the verdict in the trial of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald:

“I am relieved that justice was served for Laquan’s family,” said Jones. “We have seen too many black men and women killed at the hands of police with little more than a slap on the wrist.

“The time is now for everyone, including our law enforcement officers, to realize that black lives do matter.

“The verdict was a good first step, but we still have more work to do. We will continue to fight to ensure our criminal justice system equally serves everyone.”