SPRINGFIELD – To address crumbling roads in some of the district’s most traveled areas, State Senator Rachel Ventura is leading a measure that would impose a fee on interstate carriers with the collected fees going toward maintenance and repairs of roads most affected by heavy transportation travel.

“My district has one of the biggest transportation hubs in the state and has had ongoing issues with highway infrastructure due to heavy trucking,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Far too often, the 43rd District is left with the burden of fixing reoccurring pot holes and damage due to the lack of tax dollars from local sales since these trucks often sell goods from elsewhere. This fee would address that issue by directly funding new projects to help fix the roads that need it the most.”

Senate Bill 2784 would impose a cargo fee on each semi-truck that transports tangible personal property. The fee that will be imposed on carriers would vary between $0.50 and $8 per vehicle depending on weight.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced legislation that would prevent corporations from double-dipping local taxpayer dollars meant for economic development.

“The goal of this legislation is to ensure surplus taxpayer dollars go back to home owners and not to corporations and private investors who want another payout,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We must ensure these dollars are protected.”

Ventura’s initiative was initially brought to her attention by a local school district that had to send surplus dollars to a warehouse that already had a tax-incentive. The measure seeks to eliminate the problem of double-dipping by private investors who receive tax incentives on both the front and back end of development projects.

SPRINGFIELD – To expand clean energy infrastructure across Illinois, State Senator Rachel Ventura spearheaded legislation through the Senate that would allow local government to apply for loans through the Illinois Finance Authority Climate Bank.

“It is our moral obligation to address the ongoing climate crisis at all levels,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “By offering these low-rate loans to local government, we will not only save taxpayers money in the long run, but also address and tackle the effects of climate change head on.”

Senate Bill 3597 would allow units of local government to apply and obtain a loan from the Illinois Finance Authority Climate Bank to build, purchase, remodel or improve clean energy infrastructure.

SPRINGFIELD – To tackle growing emission rates from automobiles and trucks, State Senator Rachel Ventura spearheaded legislation through the Senate that would create a grant for local governments to help mitigate the impact of climate change.

“By encouraging local governments to plant native trees and grasses, which are proven to help mitigate climate change through carbon capture, we can aid the process of healing our planet for future generations significantly,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This grant opportunity would make a big difference in every corner of the state – tackling the deterioration of the planet head on.”

The ramifications of the climate crisis are felt across all tiers of government. With heightened frequency and intensity of storms, local administrations face the imperative of managing flooding and devising solutions for dirt and snow drifts. Moreover, the escalating emissions from transportation and fossil fuel sources demand urgent attention. Scientific research underscores the efficacy of native grasses and trees in carbon capture. In response to these pressing needs, this bill endeavors to establish a grant program tailored for local governments.