Peoria Standard

Deputy House Republican Leader Ryan Spain and State Representative Joe Sosnowski have expressed strong opposition to a new proposal in Springfield that would introduce a sales tax on services throughout Illinois. The proposed tax, which aims to address a budget shortfall in Chicago's mass transportation system, could impact a wide range of services including streaming, dry cleaning, haircuts, and vehicle repairs.

Rep. Spain criticized the proposal as "the Brandon Johnson bailout for Chicago mass transit," arguing that it would impose an unnecessary burden on families and small businesses already struggling with high prices. He highlighted that if enacted at 6.25%, the service tax would be the highest in the nation.

Rep. Sosnowski echoed these concerns, stating that Illinois faces a spending problem rather than a revenue issue. He noted the state budget has significantly increased under Governor JB Pritzker's administration.

Business owners also voiced their concerns about the potential impact of this tax on various industries. Dean Graven from Dean’s Landscaping and Handyman Services warned it could affect housing affordability by increasing costs for contractors and subcontractors involved in home construction.

Kayla Edwards from Express Employment Professionals highlighted how temporary staffing firms might suffer due to their thin operating margins, predicting that the tax could lead to business closures and job losses across industries.

The proposal includes over eighty services such as car washes, landscaping, fitness centers, pest control, dog grooming, and many more. Opponents are encouraged to visit StopILServiceTax.com for further details or to express their opposition.