Peoria Standard

State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) likened Pritzker’s budget unveiled during his State of the State and Budget Address on Feb. 2 to “election year gimmicks that fail to address Illinois’ crushing property tax burden and rampant inflation.” 

“The concern that I have is the governor’s laying the groundwork for permanent spending increases that are going to straddle taxpayers in future years based on the decisions that are being made today,” Barickman said in a video statement. “It looks like the governor is proposing temporary tax relief coupled with permanent spending increases, and while that may sound good today, what we know is that tomorrow that’s going to cause problems for Illinois.”

The budget includes the proposed Family Relief Plan that Pritzker said in his address would “provide immediate assistance to help families fight inflation.” The plan includes “$475 million in property tax rebates for families, with a one-time property tax rebate payment to homeowners of 5% of property taxes paid, up to $300 for those eligible for a state income tax credit.”

The Family Relief Plan also includes $360 million by freezing, for the fiscal year, the state's tax on groceries and $135 million by freezing, for the fiscal year, the planned increase in the gas tax.

“The people of Illinois deserve long-term solutions that reduce crime, provide tax relief and result in our government spending within its means,” Barickman, who is an attorney who focuses on real estate and business law, said.  “However, Governor Pritzker’s budget pairs temporary tax relief with permanent spending increases, while relying heavily on one-time federal COVID revenues.”