East Central Reporter

JB Pritzker, the Governor of Illinois, has announced his intention to run for a third term. His statement emphasized the ongoing challenges in making life more affordable and protecting freedoms in Illinois. "Illinois is standing at the center of the fight — the fight to make life more affordable, the fight to protect our freedoms, the fight for common sense," he stated.

Since taking office in 2019, state spending under Governor Pritzker has increased significantly. The budget has grown from $40.3 billion to $55.2 billion for Fiscal Year 2026. This increase relies on one-time revenues and tax hikes.

From July 1, several new taxes will come into effect in Illinois. A cell phone service tax hike is set to begin, alongside an increase in gas taxes—from 45 cents to 48.3 cents per gallon for regular fuel and from 54 cents to 55 cents per gallon for diesel fuel.

Additionally, sports wagers will be taxed at $0.25 per wager initially and will rise once a threshold is met. Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo will now charge tenants a Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax, calculated at 6% of 94% of gross receipts.

Tobacco products will also see an increase in tax rates from 36% to 45% of their wholesale price. A proposed delivery tax was not voted on but could still be considered later this year.

Governor Pritzker's policies have been criticized by some who argue they prioritize illegal immigrants over citizens and contribute to increasing energy prices due to a focus on renewable energy projects such as wind and solar power.

Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, expressed concerns about potential rolling blackouts affecting production gaps and supply chain issues: “If we have (blackouts), you’ll see significant production gaps,” he cautioned.

The state's demographic trends show a decrease in youth population while elderly numbers are rising. Additionally, Chicago-area home prices are increasing rapidly compared to national averages.

The state faces criticism over prioritizing illegal immigrants' needs over those of citizens while imposing high combined state and local taxes.