NEWS

SPRINGFIELD – In the midst of deep economic uncertainty and historic wealth inequality , State Senator Graciela Guzmán is calling for progressive revenue reform to fill the budget gap for families in Illinois.

“If we are serious about affordability, then we have to be serious about tax justice,” said Guzmán. “We cannot solve an affordability crisis by handing our communities too little and telling them to make it work. That is what austerity does. It gives people less than what they need, then blames them when they cannot make it work.”

Guzmán spoke on the need for revenue reform in a press conference at the State Capitol on Wednesday. There are several bills she is pushing for, including:

•         Senate Bill 3376, which would apply Illinois’ personal income tax rate to the appreciation of assets for residents with a net worth of $1 billion or more.
•         Senate Bill 3486, a measure that would strengthen corporate tax accountability by addressing how large, multinational corporations report income.
•         Senate Bill 3353, which would apply a 10% tax on a digital advertisers’ annual revenue if the revenue earned exceeds $150 million.
•         Senate Bill 3796, a proposal that would decouple Illinois from federal tax changes, end high-impact business credits and require a cost-benefit analysis of corporate tax incentives.

SPRINGFIELD – In the fight for affordable housing for all people in Illinois, State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill to provide human rights protections to prospective tenants who are survivors of gender-based violence passed the Senate Executive Committee.

“When we talk about housing, we are not just talking about buildings or leases,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “We are talking about safety. We are talking about dignity. We are talking about whether people have a real chance to rebuild their lives.”

Senate Bill 330 would provide that it is a civil rights violation to unlawfully discriminate against a prospective tenant because of a person's history of experiencing domestic or sexual violence. According to Illinois Legal Aid, people who have survived domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault might also face barriers to their housing because of these abuses. People who rent their homes are three times more likely to face violence than people who own their homes.

SPRINGFIELD – In the face of sky-high rental costs in Chicago and across Illinois, Senator Graciela Guzmán is working to crack down on price fixing schemes landlords conduct using AI algorithms.

“Renters deserve a fair, transparent and accountable housing market,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago).  “AI algorithms allow landlords to rig the market in their favor and gouge every dollar from families looking for a place to live. We need to crack down on AI-driven rent fixing schemes that hurt competition and renters.”

AI-driven rental pricing platforms are known to facilitate rent price-fixing, causing artificial, double-digit rent increases in an era when people are already struggling to afford their day-to-day life. Under Senate Bill 343, landlords would not be able to coordinate pricing indirectly through a shared third-party service or software, such as an algorithm that sets prices across multiple competing landlords. This legislation would prohibit the use of rent-setting algorithms by banning:

• Fixing, controlling or maintaining rental pricing, fees, or any other rental term for residential rental units in Illinois
• Engaging in price coordination for residential rental units in the state, including through the sale, licensure, or provision of any service or product that involves price coordination of residential rental units.

• Makes it a violation to engage in price coordination or use, subscribe to, or contract with a service that involves price coordination for residential rental units in the state.

According to the Sanford Journal of Public Policy, rent across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods jumped 10% over the past year, and RealPage’s recommendations can translate into rent hikes 5 to 10% above market value. In Chicago alone, roughly one-third of multifamily rental units, about 100,000 apartments, are now influenced by RealPage’s algorithm.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill to decouple Illinois adult education funding from federal rules passed the Senate Thursday.

“Adult education programs need to be seen as necessary, not optional,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Education institutions continue to be pressured by the Trump administration and Illinois needs to stand up for its adult learners.”

The measure comes as the Trump administration continues to threaten education funding and demand an unprecedented role in university admission, curriculum and operations. Without action from the state, federal threats to education programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act could limit Illinois residents’ access to higher education and key adult education programs.

Guzmán’s legislation would clarify and strengthen the administration of state-funded adult education programs in Illinois. The bill would ensure that Illinois law, not the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, governs state-only adult education programs. The state’s matching portion of WIOA funds – currently 25% – would continue to be subject to federal requirements.