New Law Signed to Increase Transparency in Local Government

A new measure was recently signed into law to enhance transparency and public access to information regarding proposed tax levy changes by local governments.

Senate Bill 3567, sponsored by Senator Erica Harriss, amends Illinois' Truth in Taxation law to require taxing bodies to prominently display notices on or near the top of their websites for a minimum of 30 days. Under the existing Truth in Taxation law, taxing bodies are required to publicly disclose their intention to raise their tax levy by more than 5 percent. The new law will require online visibility in addition to the current mandate that these notices be published in local newspapers.

The dual approach is designed to maximize the reach and effectiveness of public disclosures, providing residents with multiple opportunities to stay informed about potential increases in their property taxes.