Measure giving farm families relief from Illinois’ estate tax gets bipartisan push

A bipartisan push is underway to change Illinois’ estate tax for farm families.

The state’s current threshold for the so-called death tax is $4 million. Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan said the taxes on that when someone dies can crush a family farm.

State Sen. Dave Koehler’s measure would increase the threshold that’s taxed from $4 million to $6 million. He said his measure will only address family farms, not other small businesses, because that would have meant fewer tax dollars to the state’s coffers.

Koehler has bipartisan support for his measure. The legislature returns Tuesday.

Story from Illinois Radio Network