Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HJR0040

HJ0040 LRB104 13925 MST 26819 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly are committed to cutting the costs of everyday essentials and making vital services more affordable so that Illinoisans can build stronger futures; and

WHEREAS, Instead of taking any action to ease the cost of living, President Donald Trump has done the opposite, embarking on an erratic and destructive campaign to raise the prices of everything that families purchase everyday through senseless tariff schemes; and

WHEREAS, The economic hits have caused major retail chains, including Target, Walmart, McDonald's, and Amazon, to warn of chaotic hiring patterns, numerous closures, and charge hikes nationwide; and

WHEREAS, In the face of these approaching challenges, lawmakers have a responsibility to explore potential legislative measures and policy proposals that could help make life more affordable and prevent millions of Illinoisans from having to overcome the repercussions of the Trump Administration's blunders; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Saving Working Families and Easing the Cost of Living Task Force is established; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following members, who will serve without compensation:

(1) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, who shall serve as co-chair;

(2) One member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall serve as co-chair;

(3) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(4) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the House Minority Leader;

(5) Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(6) Two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be charged with assessing the feasibility of implementing policies focused on reducing the cost of living and enhancing the economic well-being of middle-class and modest-income families, including but not limited to:

(1) The elimination of state taxes on tipped wages, commonly known as "no tax on tips";

(2) The elimination of state taxes on overtime pay;

(3) Allowing taxpayers to deduct the full amount of union dues paid;

(4) An annual sales tax holiday coinciding with back-to-school shopping season applied to new school supplies, clothes, shoes, and other essential items;

(5) The expansion of career and technical education to prepare young people for high-wage jobs;

(6) Controlling consumer utility prices;

(7) The expansion of tax credits that primarily benefit middle and modest-income families, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit;

(8) The expansion of state grants and additional tax credits to make child care more affordable and accessible;

(9) Policies and investments that will increase the supply of housing and bring down home costs by facilitating the construction of new homes and the renovation of underutilized residential areas;

(10) Efforts to lower grocery costs, including the expansion of state grants for small grocery stores and food retailers in underserved areas and new support for local food producers;

(11) Continued efforts to make healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable and more accessible; and

(12) Support for community-based small businesses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the initial appointments to the Task Force shall be made no more than three months after adoption of this resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall holds its first meeting within 30 days after all Task Force members have been appointed and then on a monthly basis thereafter; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit a report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2026, and upon this filing, the Task Force is dissolved; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader, the President of the Senate, and the Senate Minority Leader.