East Central Reporter

Chris Miller, the representative for Illinois State House District 101, expressed concerns that Illinois citizens might have to financially support Chicago politicians following a newly proposed sales tax aimed at raising an estimated $2.7 billion. He said that this would occur after funds were allegedly misused on illegal immigrants.

"Chicago politicians have wasted money on illegal immigrants and NGOs--now they are coming after taxpayers again to bail them out," said Chris G. Miller, State Representative for 101st District (R), according to Facebook. "Illinois citizens would find themselves paying sales taxes on: Netflix and streaming services; Rideshare services such as Über and Lyft; Gym memberships; Barbershops and beauty salons; Car washes and car repair; Plumbing, electrical and other repair; and Lawn care and landscaping."

According to Miller's Facebook post, he linked to an Illinois Policy report discussing a proposed expansion of the sales tax. This proposal includes personal services and other areas, intending to increase government revenue and support Chicago’s transit systems. The proposed tax is not confined to the Chicago area but is instead a statewide initiative that Democrats aim to pass before the General Assembly adjourns on May 31. The Illinois Policy report estimates that the tax could generate nearly $2 billion for the state, $50 million for counties, almost $400 million for city governments, and $315 million for Chicago’s Regional Transit Authority. Currently, Chicago residents pay a streaming services tax, and Illinois ranks as having the seventh-highest tax burden in the nation.

Screenshot of State Rep. Chris Miller's May 16 Facebook post | State Representative Chris Miller's Facebook page

Americans for Prosperity has highlighted Illinois’ tax burdens, including an overall state and local tax burden of 16.51%. They emphasize more than 80 proposed service tax increases. The proposed 6.25% statewide sales tax would apply to various services such as aircraft leases and rentals longer than 60 days, armored car services, golf and country club dues, and commercial recreation fees. Other affected services include barber and beauty shop services; landscaping; lawn care; tree trimming and removal; mini storage; furniture repair and cleaning; farm implement repairs; dry cleaning; pressing; dyeing; laundering; and household appliance, TV, and radio repair.

A March 2025 report titled "Modernizing Illinois’ Sales Tax" from several organizations including the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning suggests that Illinois' sales tax structure is "outdated and misaligned with economic activity." The report notes that out of 176 consumer services, only 29 are taxed through specific excise taxes, setting Illinois apart from most other states. The organizations propose mitigating impacts on lower-income households by using new revenue to expand income-targeted tax relief programs while noting that high-income households benefit disproportionately from the current system.

Miller was first elected to the Illinois State House of Representatives in 2019. An Illinois native, he is a third-generation cattle farmer and grain operator in Hindsboro with an associate degree in agriculture from Lake Land College and a Bachelor of Science in Education.