From State Senator Don DeWitt:
| As Illinois braces for a projected budget deficit of more than $3 billion, Senate Republicans are calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker to commit to balancing the budget without raising taxes on Illinois citizens and businesses. A recent report from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) estimates a $3.16 billion shortfall for the next fiscal year, raising concerns about how the Governor plans to close the budget gap he created. Since taking office, Governor Pritzker has expanded state spending by more than 30 percent, reaching a record $53 billion in the last fiscal year. Senate Republicans have long criticized the Governor for this dramatic increase in state spending, arguing that he has turned temporary federal aid into long-term financial commitments for the state. News of this deficit comes just months after Pritzker and his legislative allies raised taxes by nearly $1 billion to fund a budget that included more than $1 billion in healthcare and other benefits for non-citizens. A recent Chicago Tribune article highlighted the issue and the GOP Senators’ demand for no new tax hikes: –With state facing $3B deficit, GOP senators call on Gov. JB Pritzker to promise no tax hikes. Illinoisans across the state have made their position clear—they’re struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford to cover the cost of Governor Pritzker’s budget crisis. Instead of focusing on personal political ambitions, HE/SHE said, the Governor should prioritize the real challenges facing Illinois families and work to restore financial stability in the state. |
