Peoria Standard

In the early morning hours of Wednesday last week, Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly voted to implement a $53.1 billion spending plan, passing the largest budget in state history without Republican support. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget is $2.6 billion more than last year’s enacted budget and includes pay raises for politicians and $1 billion for non-citizens. Additionally, Democrats voted for $1 billion in tax hikes to fund their record-breaking spending.

“Once again, Illinois Democrats went behind closed doors and crafted the largest partisan budget in state history that raises taxes at a time when families and small businesses are still dealing with crippling inflation,” said Deputy Minority Leader Ryan Spain (R-Peoria). “I am also concerned with the way that the Democrats’ spending plan prioritizes appropriations for non-citizens and their own pet projects over long-standing programs for Illinois’ citizens, including our most vulnerable.”

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) commented: “This budget is a negligent political document that comes at a massive price to Illinois families. The partisan approach by Democratic leaders has pushed the state onto a failed path of taxes and overspending while ignoring necessary structural and ethical reforms.”

Deputy Republican Leader & Chief Budgeteer Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) stated: “Illinois working families and seniors cannot afford to pay for all this massive spending, especially at a time when so many are struggling with high inflation, high interest rates, and persistently high unemployment.”

Assistant Republican Leader & Budgeteer Amy Elik (R-Alton) added: “Hard-working Illinoisans are struggling to afford basic needs amidst high inflation and higher cost of living increases. While Democrats prioritized raising taxes, spending on new programs, and subsidizing failed open-border immigration policies, our state’s most vulnerable citizens have been shortchanged.”

Despite holding 78 seats in the chamber, it took Democrats three tries to reach the 60 votes needed to approve more than $1.1 billion in revenue increases, including a tax hike on sportsbooks and businesses. The revenue plan capped voting on budget-related bills after House Bill 4951 passed at 4:43 a.m. with the minimum 60 votes necessary.

“You – you passed these rules,” Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) scolded Democrats after they suspended House rules to bring up the revenue plan for a third vote.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker may have another chance to create a task force to study Illinois’ property tax system after Senate Bill 3455 advanced both chambers despite criticism it will be ineffective.

State Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights) defended Senate Bill 3455 but faced opposition from State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), who noted similar studies had been conducted previously without results.

Halbrook argued: “People are leaving this state in droves because of high property taxes… In 2019 the gas tax went up by double… We don’t know the results of what happened with this 2019 task force… We want to do another bill that will do nothing and go nowhere.”

The Metro Illinois jobs report for April 2024 published by the Illinois Department of Employment Security revealed an overall statewide unemployment rate of 4.4%. Over-the-year unemployment increased in thirteen metropolitan areas while decreasing in one.

April 2024 unemployment was significantly higher than this statewide figure in certain metropolitan areas such as Danville (5.3%), Decatur (5.7%), Kankakee (5.7%), and Rockford (5.9%). Regions traditionally oriented towards manufacturing continue facing higher unemployment rates compared to neighboring states.

State Representative Ryan Spain has launched his eighth annual Summer Reading Club Program for grade school students within his district aimed at encouraging literacy during summer break.

“Keeping the mind active through reading over summer break helps ensure students enter the next school year on the front foot,” said Spain.

Brochures were distributed through area schools or can be obtained via Rep. Spain’s website or Peoria District Office.

Participating students have until July 31st to read eight books; submissions can be turned in electronically.

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