East Central Reporter

Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly have approved a series of new measures during the recent Fall veto session, leading to increased taxes and expanded bureaucratic authority. The actions taken include raising taxes and electric rates by $8 billion, despite reports that state electricity bills rose 15% in 2025. An unelected board will now have significant control over energy decisions in Illinois.

The legislative session also saw the passage of tax increases expected to redirect approximately $2 billion from the road fund to support Chicago and suburban transit systems, impacting downstate residents who will contribute to these operations. Lawmakers additionally approved taxpayer funding for assisted suicide services in Illinois.

A new law creates a 1,000-foot exclusion zone around courthouses for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), potentially exposing agents to lawsuits from protesters. Critics argue this measure may impede federal immigration enforcement near judicial facilities.

Illinois State Representative Chris Miller criticized these legislative actions, stating: "They slip and slide around the truth attempting to justify each and every con job, heist and scheme they pull off. But apparently they are not smart people, because raising taxes is the only lazy, unoriginal plan they can come up with to fix all the problems that they themselves create. And WE are paying for it."

Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley described Illinois' economic policies as "economically moronic," suggesting such measures could drive more residents out of the state. ("https://jonathanturley.org/2025/10/26/california-and-chicago-move-toward-taxation-armageddon/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email")

The energy bill's approval followed debate over its impact on consumers amid rising utility costs ("https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2025-10-30/house-passes-energy-bill-amid-debate-over-costs-to-consumers"). A congressional report confirmed that Illinois electricity bills increased by 15% in 2025 ("https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/illinois-electricity-bills-jumped-15-in-2025-congressional-report-finds").

Funding shifts for mass transit were outlined after lawmakers passed a $1.5 billion bill supporting Chicago-area transportation networks ("https://www.nbcchicago.com/traffic/transit/illinois-general-assembly-passes-massive-1-5-billion-mass-transit-bill/3845869").

In addition to fiscal policy changes, some laws addressed social issues such as assisted suicide ("https://www.breakthrough-ideas.com/read/2025/10/31/illinois-dems-halloween-trick-ghoulish-suicide-bill") and immigration enforcement near courthouses ("https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/illinois-lawmakers-pass-bill-banning-ice-immigration-arrests-near-courthouses/ar-AA1PBd4N?ocid=BingNewsSerp").

Public safety concerns were also raised following a fatal car crash involving an undocumented immigrant accused of driving under the influence, resulting in two deaths in Coles County. The incident has led citizens and lawmakers to call for prioritizing law-abiding residents over individuals residing illegally in the country ("https://capitolcitynow.com/news/248842-fatal-crash-outrages-il-freedom-caucus/", "https://www.foxnews.com/us/outrage-erupts-after-boozed-up-illegal-immigrant-allegedly-mows-down-blue-state-couple-how-many-more").

State Representative Chris Miller was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 101st House District in 2023, succeeding Reggie Phillips.

For further discussion on these topics, State Rep Brad Halbrook and Rep Miller appeared with former State Rep Jeanne Ives on her radio program.

Representative Miller’s office remains available to assist constituents with state agency matters at their Charleston location.