East Central Reporter

On July 11, 2024, a critical perspective emerged regarding the fiscal policies of the Democratic Party in Illinois. Critics argue that high taxes continue to burden working families, with Republicans attributing this to what they describe as the Democrats' refusal to debate meaningful tax relief legislation.

"Republicans have filed several pieces of legislation that bring tax relief to everyone, including senior citizens and veterans," said a spokesperson. However, they claim that progressive Democrats are more focused on raising taxes to fund programs for illegal immigrants.

The Illinois General Assembly's recent approval of a $53.1 billion spending plan for FY25 has intensified these criticisms. The budget represents an increase of $2.6 billion from the previous year and includes $1 billion allocated for non-citizens, which Republicans equate directly with increased tax burdens on residents.

Additional tax increases outlined in the budget include:

- A $526 million increase due to changes in net operating losses for businesses.

- A $101 million increase through capped retailers’ discounts.

- A $200 million increase in sports wagering taxes.

The opposition contends that these measures exacerbate financial strain on Illinois families already struggling with rising costs of goods and services.

For further details on this issue, readers can visit repcmiller.com/2024/06/05/chicago-public-schools-spending-millions-on-educating-illegals.