SPRINGFIELD – During Wednesday’s annual State of the State address, Gov. JB Pritzker said his top priorities this upcoming legislative session were to provide property tax relief to residents, early childhood education, and making college affordable, which are also all priorities of State Senator Napoleon Harris.

Harris is the chief co-chair of the Property Tax Task Force, which is exploring potential solutions into reducing Illinois’ high property tax rates and will make recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly.

“Year after year, Illinoisans see a larger and larger share of their incomes eaten up by property taxes,” Harris (D-Harvey) said. “This is huge burden for our residents and I am glad the governor is aware that something needs to change if we want our residents to continue to live in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following the election of a new Senate President, Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) offered the following statement:

“I would like to offer my most sincere congratulations to Senator Harmon for becoming the next Senate President. Because of his hard work and passion for perfection, he is perfect for the job,” Harris said.

Lawmakers will return to Springfield on Jan. 28 for the beginning of the spring legislative session.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase recreational opportunities for local communities, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Chicago) is urging municipalities to apply for the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program.

“The grant can assist local governments with increasing recreational opportunities for residents to keep them active and allow for other means of transportation,” Harris said. “Outdoor activities, such as a bike trail, will have a positive effect on bringing communities together and creates another eco-friendly transportation option.”

Funds for the Bicycle Path Grant Program are administered by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. These grants are intended for the acquisition of land or development of facilities for bicycle paths. The Bicycle Path Grant Program was approved by the Illinois General Assembly in 1989, and funding comes from a percentage of motor vehicle title fees.

Combined with previous years’ funding, IDNR has awarded grants that have helped develop nearly 1,000 miles of local government bicycle trails in Illinois since 1990.

The grant applications deadline is March 2, 2020 at 5 p.m. For more information and how to apply for the grant, visit IDNR’s website at www.dnr.illinois.gov/grants/Pages/BikePathProgram.aspx.

HARVEY – Twelve local school districts will receive more than $17,000 in grants through the Illinois secretary of state’s School Library Grant program, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III announced Wednesday.

The grants, which are issued by the Illinois State Library, are meant to help public schools offer more library books and materials to students.

“I am thrilled to announce that schools in the south suburbs will receive additional funding for their libraries,” Harris (D-Harvey) said. “This grant will provide assistance with helping schools gather more materials to enhance students reading abilities and hopefully increase the number of students who want to pick up a book.”

Schools receiving school library grants include: