Illinois Valley Times

At a May 11 House committee hearing about legislation amending the Election Code, Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) wanted to know what the impact would be on child care benefits. 

In short, Senate Bill 536 allows for using political committee funds to help with certain child care or elder dependent care expenses. 

At the hearing, Demmer asked about the taxability of child care benefits.

“I believe in a case where an employer provides free child care to an employee; there's a limit on value of that before it becomes a taxable benefit, provided to the employee, do you know how other states are handling child care expenses that are reimbursed by a campaign?” Demmer asked. “Is there a limit to the benefit dollar amount?”

Demmer, a member of the House Ethics and Elections Committee, also asked if a parent would still be eligible to claim a child care tax credit if a campaign reimbursed their expenses.

Alternate Chief Sponsor Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Downers Grove) explained that to her knowledge, other states have not placed any limits and that the current bill does not state anything about Demmer’s question.

If the General Assembly were to approve the proposal in its current state, individuals who work for "political, governmental, or public policy duties, activities or purposes" would be eligible for the financial benefits if needed to fulfill those responsibilities. 

The Senate has already approved the legislation. The House Ethics and Elections Committee advanced the bill, which is pending before the House Rules Committee as of May 15.