New legislation, the state budget and issues impacting seniors were among the top issues discussed at a town hall meeting that area Democratic state legislators held recently in Arlington Heights.
Newly appointed state Rep. Nicolle Grasse and state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, both from Arlington Heights, hosted the meeting of constituents and stakeholders July 10 at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library in Arlington Heights.
State Sen. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, was scheduled to attend but did not, disappointing a few who attended. The three state leaders were scheduled, however, to host another town hall the next day in Rolling Meadows.
Grasse led the forum, with both representatives introducing themselves, sharing slides on pending and new legislation of interest then taking questions from the audience written on note cards. With the exception of a short crosstalk exchange among members of a local school board and others in the audience about the process for teachers earning tenure, the town hall gave attendees an inside look at the role of local legislators, what they’re working on and what lies ahead for the General Assembly next year.
“I think it went well. It was great to see the turnout and just to start to meet them and hear some of their questions and ways I can best represent them,” Grasse told Pioneer Press after the town hall. “There’s been a number of conversations about senior citizen concerns with accessibility with all of the new technology and that’s something we’ll be looking more into.
“There’s still a concern about taxation of retirement benefits and I’m not a supporter of that,” Grasse said. “We want people to stay here when they retire and stay in Illinois. It’s important to allow people to keep their money after working hard their whole lives.”
Grasse – who is in a dual role as state legislator and village trustee until the term for the latter expires next year – said she’s been asking a lot of questions, meeting constituents and learning about their concerns since her appointment.
Canty said she continues to do the same after her first year in office and appreciated the opportunity to meet with constituents during the town hall.
“People are engaged and that’s always important to me when they come with questions,” Canty said. “It shows they’re paying attention and our outreach is working. I want people to understand the process.”
When asked by one attendee why the state budget process always seems to be “rushed,” Canty explained how legislators spend every week of the session working on the spending plan even though it doesn’t appear that way when it comes together for a final vote.
Also a former Arlington Heights village trustee, Canty told Pioneer Press after the town hall that she plans to create a short video explaining the budget-making process. They would be just like the ones she has created on social media looking to help constituents understand what it’s like in Springfield and what will happen at the upcoming November veto session.
The two legislators ran through a list of legislation they are supporting in Springfield.
Canty also shared highlights of the $53 billion state budget approved in May. She said the budget adds $350 million in new funding for K-12 education, increases college tuition grant fundinging, expands career and technical education programs by $10 million and adds $75 million for early child care education.
Canty said she has helped bring local dollars to the area, including $300,000 for Mount Prospect’s flooding prevention and lead pipe replacement efforts; $250,000 for Northwest Compass to aid homelessness prevention; $250,000 for Frisbie Senior Center for senior services and $141 million for local Illinois Department of Transportation infrastructure projects next year.
She pointed out that the state is eliminating the grocery tax effective Jan. 1, 2026.
“This was interesting,” said John Saletta, a 30-year resident of Arlington Heights who said he is concerned with the state’s taxes and business climate. “I thought it was informative, I learned some things and I appreciate the attendance of fellow constituents.”
Another first-time attendee to a town hall found the event worth the visit.
“I found it very informative,” said a 50-year-old Arlington Heights resident who declined to be identified. “They covered a lot of different topics – I didn’t really know what to expect – but I wish we could go a little bit deeper into some of the topics with a better explanation.
“I’m a little disappointed the state senator was not here,” she said, “but overall, they did a good job of covering.”
Another attendee agreed.
“I was disappointed the senator wasn’t here today,” said Arlington Heights resident Patricia Bierut, who also said she was glad she attended the town hall.
Elizabeth Owens-Schield is a freelancer.
