Local State Senators Vote No on Budget Package

State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) released a statement following the Senate’s passage of a Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

(ST. SEN. JASON PLUMMER)

“The people and businesses of this state would have been bankrupt long ago if they ran their finances like Governor Pritzker handles state spending. He has increased spending 36% in just a few years in office, fueled by federal money that has now run out. Now, instead of making tough decisions and trimming excess, he has decided to increase spending to new record levels, this time fueled by a billion dollars in tax hikes.

“What do Illinoisans get in return for the Governor’s profligate spending? A billion dollars in tax hikes that will crush their finances. Meanwhile, as they struggle to buy food and pay for things like healthcare, the Governor continues to throw money at his self-created immigrant crisis to the tune of more than a billion dollars per year.

“The people of Illinois deserve better. Unfortunately, they won’t get it this year, thanks to the Governor and his allies who just can’t stop treating the people of Illinois like their personal piggy bank.”

State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) issued the following statement after voting against the budget:

(ST. SEN. CHAPIN ROSE)

“There has been a $13 billion increase in spending since Governor Pritzker took office in 2019. This budget alone contained nearly $1 billion in tax hikes on the people of Illinois only to funnel nearly $1 billion toward spending on Governor Pritzker's self-created illegal immigrant crisis. Free healthcare for immigrants is a homing beacon, bringing non-citizens to our state only to have Illinoisans foot the bill. This cost falls directly on the backs of the working people of this state.

“Speaking of working people, Pritzker is stealing money out of the gas tax to divert to a new program to buy $75,000 electric vehicles for rich people. That money is coming right out the working people of Illinois’ pockets, and then used to give $4,000 EV credits to buy $75,000 electric cars. People in Casey, Illinois, and the rest of the 51st District, can’t afford a $75,000 car. Pritzker is out of his mind.

“Then, Pritzker says he is going to do grocery tax relief. Well, the grocery tax relief does not start for another 18 months. In the meantime, he is letting all your local municipalities have free rein to raise taxes on not just groceries, but for most of the towns I represent, all merchandise. He is soaking the working people of this state in taxes to pay for illegal immigrants, EV credits for the rich, and to raise local taxes on small communities. This is nuts, but that is J.B. Pritzker’s vision for Illinois and America. However, it is not mine, and I voted no.”

State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) released the following statement following the Senate passage of a Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

(ST. SEN. STEVE McCLURE)

“Here we go again, the same old plot of tax hikes and gimmicks. I’ve seen this movie before. This is the one where most of the people leave before the ending. Governor Pritzker is doubling down on some of the most unpopular tax policies in the country, while leaving behind some of the most vulnerable people in the state. “

The Illinois House is expected to vote on the budget proposal today.