Peoria Standard

Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) believes the state needs more policies to improve the economy, not the increased spending and taxes Gov. J.B. Pritzker called for in his budget address. 

Weaver said that as the legislative process gets under way he and other legislators will work to pass a budget that will grow jobs and the economy.  

A focus on policy is what will grow the Illinois economy, Weaver said. Ensuring people and business are enticed to stay in Illinois by job creation and property tax relief is vitally important.

Weaver was critical of the governor’s hope to pull in $3.6 billion in new taxes and his threat to stop payment on health services, education funding, and other state services if that doesn’t happen. 

He said state agencies will be held hostage by the governor, so he can get his progressive tax plan passed. 

Pritzker spoke at the Thompson Center days before the budget was released. He detailed the $225 million the state will save after a close look at inefficiencies and the decision to combine some state agencies.  The governor’s office determined that many of Illinois’ 700 boards and commissions perform the same functions. The $225 million in savings is approximately 0.5 percent of the current fiscal year’s $40 billion budget, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Additionally, Pritzker’s office said the Coroner Training Board will become part of the Department of Public Health. The Workers’ Compensation Commission and Department of Insurance both have anti-fraud programs that will merge.

There will be approximately $750 million in expected savings over the next three years, mostly from labor agreements, according to Pritzker’s office. 

Another cost-saving move is paying overdue medical bills. This allows the state to bypass $40.7 million in late fees in the budget for the next two years.