Education, Taxes & Remembering Charlie Kirk

EDUCATION

New Illinois law mandates universal public-school mental health screenings. Public Act 104-32 creates a planning process that is explicitly intended to move towards universal mental health screening in public schools. The new law creates statewide guidelines for local public-school districts to follow in implementing these screenings, including a mandate that they be administered annually to all students from grade 3 until high school graduation. The new law sets a 2027-2028 mandated target date for implementation.

House Republicans voted against the new law, which passed by a vote of 72-36-0 along partisan lines. Reasons for voting "no" against the new law include the aggressive desires of some caregivers to provide 'help' to as many people as possible, diminishing the ability of young people to grow up naturally with the support of their families and friends. This week in The Hill, a mental health expert issued a nationwide warning against initiatives in the 50 states starting with Illinois' new law. He warns that caregivers are writing out and distributing well-meaning 'screens' that over-diagnose mental health challenges and sicknesses.

By utilizing an opt-out provision, parents can ask their public school to excuse their children from the mental health screenings mandated by this new Illinois law.

TAXES

Inaction by Democrat-controlled General Assembly threatens Illinois property taxpayers. A complex chain of circumstances could lead to even higher property taxes levied by Illinois counties. The origin lies in a series of current procedures, themselves very complex, in the Property Tax Code that are meant to move into place if a property tax bill remains unpaid for several years. Under the law, the delinquent owner is sent repeated mail warnings and, if the bill remains unpaid, the property is subjected to what is called a "property tax sale." This means that a third party can come in and bid for a tax deed to the property. After further complex procedures have taken place, the tax deed can be transformed into a real deed and the previous owner can be evicted.

Under Illinois law, the entire amount that a tax purchaser bids in a property tax sale for a tax deed is kept by the county collector. It is this feature of Illinois law that was struck down, in May 2023, by a decision of the federal Supreme Court in the case of "Tyler vs. Hennepin County." Based on a tax sale that had taken place in Minnesota, the court ruled that entire-amount retention by local property-tax governmental units was an unconstitutional "taking" of private property. The decision instructed local governments to retain only that portion of the tax-sale money that represented the actual tax debt, plus reasonable penalties and interest, and stated they must return any surplus to the original owner of the property. The decision also implicitly mandated the state governments with laws like Minnesota, and Illinois, to change their laws to create a legal procedure to return these moneys to their rightful owners.

Minnesota, and all of the other states with the tax-sale laws scrutinized in "Tyler vs. Hennepin," revised their laws in accordance with this federal Supreme Court decision, with the exception of Illinois. Several bills to revise Illinois law to put our State into conformity with "Tyler vs. Hennepin" have been assigned to the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee, but none of the bills have advanced through both chambers to become law. Although the "Tyler" decision was published on May 25, 2023, more than two years ago, the Democrat-controlled General Assembly has yet to take action on the matter.

This inaction, in turn, has placed local governments and their taxpayers at risk. Since May 2023, county collectors that carry out tax sales have been engaged in conduct that renders them vulnerable to private lawsuits filed by legitimate plaintiffs and aggressive trial attorneys. These lawsuits seek redress and substantial damages, including hourly fees for the plaintiff attorneys. These lawsuits against Illinois counties are starting to pile up. Current State law does not allow counties to adjust their property tax sale procedures to obey "Tyler vs. Hennepin," but does allow them to charge higher property taxes when a county loses a "Tyler"-based lawsuit or is forced to accept an unfavorable "Tyler"-based litigation settlement. Thus, the inability of the General Assembly to change the Property Tax Code to comply with "Tyler vs. Hennepin" could soon lead to even higher property taxes in affected counties.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF CHARLIE KIRK

Rep. Sheehan Files Resolution Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charlie Kirk.State Representative Patrick Sheehan has filed a resolution mourning the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, a native of Arlington Heights and nationally recognized conservative activist, who was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.

"I'm heartbroken by the senseless violence that took Charlie Kirk's life," Rep. Sheehan said. "Charlie was a man of deep faith and fearless conviction. His courage moved people, challenged culture, and sparked dialogue across the country. We must reject political violence in all its forms. Honoring Charlie means committing ourselves to peaceful, non-partisan dialogue no matter our differences in belief."

State Rep. Mike Coffey said Charlie Kirk's voice will continue to shape our nation for the better:

"Charlie Kirk had a strong heart, clear vision, and his voice touched countless lives across the country," said Coffey. "He stood for values that reflect America and he inspired countless lives to stand up and speak up about issues they believe in through meaningful conversations. We will remember Charlie and honor his life the way he would expect us to."

Born in Arlington Heights in 1993, Charlie Kirk attended Wheeling High School and Harper College before dedicating his life to public advocacy. At just 18 years old, he co-founded Turning Point USA, transforming a grassroots campus initiative into a prominent national organization. Kirk was also a published author and a passionate advocate for free speech, frequently touring college campuses to promote open dialogue and the exercise of First Amendment rights.

Charlie Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Lane Frantzve, their two young children, and his parents, Robert and Kimberly Ann Kirk.

A Message on Charlie Kirk

In light of the assassination of co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie released the following statement:

"My heart is broken, and I am angry. Charlie Kirk was assassinated in a senseless act of violence. My prayers are with his family, friends, and all who loved him.

"It is deeply disturbing that hatred has escalated to the point where lives are being stolen. That this happened while he was speaking on political violence at a university, a place that should be dedicated to free speech and the open exchange of ideas, makes it even more tragic. If ideas cannot be debated on campus without fear of violence, we have truly lost our way."

Suspected Kirk shooter in custody

The suspected shooter in the death of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Please continue to keep Charlie's family in your prayers through this extremely difficult time.