SPRINGFIELD— Property taxes could be lower for some homeowners and business owners in South Suburban communities thanks to a new state grant program that seeks to lift some of the burden on school districts that are heavily taxed.

“This grant brings needed relief to struggling communities paying higher property taxes to provide a quality education for our students, and many times students still don’t receive adequate resources,” Sims said. “The program will provide necessary relief to help keep families in Illinois and boost the economy.”

Local school districts that are eligible for the Property Tax Relief Grant include: 

• Community Consolidated School District 168, Sauk Village
• Dolton School District 149
• Hoover-Schrum Memorial School District 157, Calumet City
• Lansing School District 158
• Thornton Fractional Township High School District 215, Lansing

The Property Tax Relief Grant helps school districts with high tax rates relative to other school districts with an opportunity to lower the property tax burden on local taxpayers with the state replacing a portion of foregone tax revenue with state funds.

The amount the school districts receive will be included in future calculations of those districts.

More information on the Property Tax Relief Grant and a listing of each eligible school district can be found at www.ISBE.net/proptaxrelief.

Learn more and register for the event here: http://bit.ly/financialselfdefenseevent

Learn more and register for the career fair here: http://bit.ly/deptofaviationcareerfair

The Grant Writing 101 seminar will be on Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m at Carter Temple CME Church. It will be co-hosted by Sixth Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer, the church and myself.

We encourage you to come out to learn more about the grant writing process and how to go about doing research to successfully apply for and receive grants.

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. RSVP by calling my district office at (773) 933-7715. I hope to see you there.