ALTON – In an effort to connect concerned residents with solutions to high property taxes, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) and state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) are partnering with the Alton Township Assessor's office to hold office hours on property tax relief on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 from 6-7 P.M. at Senior Services Plus. 

“We know that property taxes are a main concern for area residents, and as members of the Property Tax Relief Task Force, we will continue to look for ways to fight overburdensome property taxes on hard working families,” Crowe said. “While Rep. Bristow and I continue to work on this issue in Springfield, I am glad we can offer some immediate help to residents through our property tax seminars and satellite office hours.”

Residents are encouraged to bring their most recent property tax bill with them to the event. A representative from the Alton Township Assessor’s office will be available to meet one-on-one with homeowners to review their bills to make sure they are receiving all the exemptions they qualify for. Residents can also learn more about interior reviews and other ways to lower their property taxes. While everyone is welcome to attend this free event, Alton Township residents will be able to receive more detailed information on what services are available to them.

“During our last satellite office hours with the Alton Assessor’s office, nearly every person who attended was able to learn about additional exemptions for which they qualified or find a way to save more on their annual property taxes,” Bristow said. “Lowering the tax burden has been one of my main focuses in Springfield, to help local homeowners save more of their hard earned money by expanding and creating new exemptions and hosting seminars like these to help provide more education to homeowners on ways to save money and lower their bill.”

ALTON – Cities and villages in the 56th District affected by the Mississippi River floods are eligible to apply for Public Assistance grants or loans, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced today.

“This program will bring some much needed relief to residents and businesses who were hurt,” Crowe said. “I want to thank our local, state and federal officials for making this possible.”

Cities and villages in Jersey, Madison and St. Clair counties are able to apply for public assistance.

Under the Public Assistance program, FEMA awards grants to assist state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations with the response to and recovery from disasters.

The program can provide funding for debris removal, implementation of emergency protective measures and permanent restoration of infrastructure.

SPRINGFIELD – A new Illinois law addresses mental health services for law enforcement and firefighters with the support of State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“First responders are expected to be brave for their communities,” Crowe said. “This new law expresses our understanding of the trauma they go through protecting us and creates outlets for them to explain any problems they might be facing free from fear.”

House Bill 2766 ensures individuals tasked with providing peer support counseling to law enforcement and firefighters are properly trained. Individuals who seek out mental health treatment will be protected under the law without fear of termination or adverse employment action.

The new law also creates a task force to study recommendations to help reduce the risk of suicide among first responders. House Bill 2766 goes into effect immediately.

GRANITE CITY – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) recognized the young readers who completed her 2019 Summer Book Club challenge with a pizza party at Novel Idea’s Boardgamery in Granite City.

“I believe summer reading helps encourage children to develop a lifelong reading interest, maintains reading skills and generates an interest in libraries and books,” Crowe said. “Reading through the summer months keeps young minds engaged and rewarding these students for sticking with it was a treat for me as well.”

The Summer Book Club required students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books and return the form to Crowe’s office.

“I also want to thank Boardgamery’s owner Brenda Whitaker for hosting this event with me,” Crowe said. “The venue was perfect, and she couldn’t have been more accommodating.”

For more information on Crowe’s events, please visit SenatorCrowe.com or call her district office at (618) 251-9840.