Dupage Policy Journal

State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro from Hanover Park has outlined her legislative agenda for the 104th General Assembly, focusing on reducing costs for Illinois families and improving access to fundamental services. Her term includes several bills targeting property tax relief, voting access, education, and protections for human trafficking victims.

House Bill (HB) 3580 is intended to provide property tax relief for seniors by increasing the income cap for the senior freeze, while HB1906 addresses exemptions in school district levies for seniors without students in the district. In terms of voting access, HB1901 proposes extending early voting hours at permanent polling places until 7:00 p.m. on weekdays to accommodate voters’ schedules. HB1905 proposes a sales tax holiday for back-to-school supplies to reduce costs for parents and guardians.

Additionally, Sanalitro is advocating HB1903 to allow human trafficking survivors to obtain protection orders against traffickers. HR90 emphasizes the importance of night classes at public colleges, aiming to support students balancing work and family responsibilities.

"These proposals are about putting Illinois first," noted Sanalitro. She emphasizes the importance of keeping school supplies affordable and protecting human trafficking victims as among the daily challenges faced by Illinois residents.

Sanalitro is also sponsoring a bill (HB3391) to reintroduce retro-style license plates based on designs used between 1983 and 2001. This proposal has passed through committee and awaits further deliberation on the House floor.

At a recent press conference, Sanalitro criticized House Democrats' priorities and highlighted a $737 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2026. Fellow Republicans, including Assistant Minority Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer and Representative Bill Hauter, criticized the Democrats' spending and taxation policies. Sanalitro responded to this by stating, "This massive spending plan won’t fix our tax system. It will only make things worse for hardworking families and businesses.”

To address tax burdens, Sanalitro has introduced HB1898 and HB1899, which propose income tax deductions for gratuities and overtime compensation, respectively. She has also launched a petition to support these initiatives, emphasizing the need for tax relief on tips and overtime pay.

Sanalitro has called for stronger action against human trafficking in Illinois, highlighting the state's role as a significant hub due to its central location and transportation networks. She stated, "Human trafficking is not just a distant issue—it’s happening in our own neighborhoods."

More information on Representative Sanalitro’s legislative efforts is available on her website, and her office is open for inquiries.