From State Rep. Dan Ugaste:
AFFORDABILITY/TAXES
Governor Pritzker’s Budget Address
During his budget address, Governor Pritzker declared that everything is “too damned expensive.”
On that point, Republicans agree. But the Governor failed to take accountability for his role in making Illinois less affordable, and his proposed budget makes clear that more of the same is on the way.
In his latest proposal, Governor Pritzker continues to squeeze working families and drive up the cost of living:
- A $56 billion budget, the largest in state history and $1 billion more than last year’s massive spending plan.
- $728 million in new taxes, fees, and revenue increases on Illinois families.
- A proposed $60 million cut to money distributed to local governments which will drive up property taxes.And this budget builds on a record of higher spending and higher taxes.
Under Governor Pritzker:
- State spending has increased by $16 billion since he took office (an increase of 40%
- )Illinois now collects $1,434 more per resident in taxes than before he became governor
- Compared to 2019, the state is taking in $18 billion more from taxpayers
- He has enacted at least 49 taxes and fee hikes since 2019
It does not stop there.
In just the past two weeks, House Democrats have introduced new proposals that would further nickel and dime families, including:
- A new fee on campfires for families trying to enjoy outdoor recreation
- A carryout bag tax that would start at 10 cents and climb to 25 cents per bag by 2030, including on reusable bags
House Republicans have continued to fight for affordability across Illinois, filing multiple bills to address the issue.
| These include Rep. Ugaste’s HB 9 to provide property tax relief and Rep. Spain’s HB 1383, which would allow taxpayers to deduct tip income from their state taxable income, reducing the state tax burden on tips. So while Governor Pritzker can blame Washington or anyone else he chooses, the reality is simple: affordability starts in Springfield. |
Pritzker’s concern for Indiana taxpayers ignores Illinois families taxed to the max
With the Chicago Bears eyeing a possible move to Indiana, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker weighed in about his concern for the cost to Indiana taxpayers.
Missing from Pritzker’s comments was any concern for the Illinois families paying the billions of dollars in tax hikes imposed on them during Pritzker’s time in office.
State Representative Norine Hammond criticized Pritzker’s newfound concern for the taxpayers of neighboring Indiana and highlighted Pritzker’s tax-and-spend record in Illinois.
Governor JB Pritzker’s record on taxes and affordability speaks for itself:Proposed and personally funded the failed 2020 graduated income tax scheme.Raised taxes and spending by $16 billion, a 40% increase on Pritzker’s watch.
Doubled the gas tax and tied future increases to inflation.Approved an $8 billion energy rate hike to subsidize a green energy giveaway.Signed off on a mass transit bailout for Chicago, allowed toll hikes of almost 60% and higher sales taxes, essentially spending $2.5 billion to fill a deficit of $235 million this year.“
Illinois keeps losing businesses, residents, and opportunity because the Governor and Democrat supermajorities keep making it more and more expensive to live and do business in Illinois,” according to Rep. Ugaste.
“We need to stop looking for other people and places to blame and work on solving the problems we can control in Illinois so life here is more affordable.”
