As the General Assembly nears its May 31 scheduled adjournment, budget and school funding issues dominate the big picture issues. As of late Friday afternoon, the House had adjourned until Sunday but the Senate was continuing to debate and vote on the many issues on their calendar. According to today’s edition of the Illinois State Capitol Report (members only), it is expected that both chambers will take Saturday off but return to work Sunday and continue throughout the Memorial Day holiday.

Illinois REALTORS® lobbyists are monitoring the progress of many bills, especially ones that would have an adverse effect on the real estate industry or private property rights. For example, our association:

• supports Senate Bill 2805 which adds two real estate licensees to the Illinois Electronic Recording Commission;
• is now neutral on Senate Bill 2300 which amends the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act to require that if a lead mitigation notice is issued on a rental property it can’t be leased to a new tenant until mitigation is completed;
• supports House Bill 229 which would grant the Lake and McHenry county boards the authority to dissolve or consolidate governmental units or functions, with the exception of conservation districts and mental health boards;
• is neutral on House Bill 4562 which increases civil penalties under the Human Rights Act relating to real estate transactions so Illinois is consistent with federal law;
• continues to monitor Senate Bill 321 which would extend the River Edge Redevelopment Zone until 2020. These Zones help revive and redevelop areas for economic development on environmentally challenged properties adjacent to rivers in five Illinois communities.