SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois House Republicans want to be brought to the table to negotiate stronger property tax relief included in the state's megaprojects bill.

House Democrats celebrated "historic" property tax relief included in the Chicago Bears-endorsed payment in lieu of taxes plan they passed last month.

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) said the state would use half of the revenue for property tax relief for Illinois families. Sixty percent of that funding would go to the local community with a megaproject and the remaining 40% could be invested in the statewide property tax relief fund that lawmakers haven't funded since it was created over five years ago.

However, the governor's office says a potential $20 million payment for a megaproject would only provide an average homeowner $1.29 in property tax relief.

"We can stop the bond rollovers. We can insist that local taxing bodies can only keep so much in reserves," said Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva). "We have all these bills here. They're real, and they will provide property tax relief for people in this state."

GOP leaders also hope to reinstate the Illinois property tax relief grant program that helped schools reduce tax levies. Ugaste stressed the program could've provided $3.5 billion in relief last year, but the policy could save taxpayers $82 billion over 21 years.

Ten House Republicans voted for the PILOT bill on April 22, but caucus members are looking forward to seeing updated language from the Senate to address multiple concerns.

"Everything that I do when I'm down here is about jobs and growth, and how we're going to bring back money to the people of this state so that they can be protected and not have to keep paying high property taxes," said Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro (R-Hanover Park). 

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