Local legislators balk at budget

State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) says the $55.2 billion spending plan passed at the last hour Saturday represents a nearly 40 percent increase since the current administration took office in 2019 and also requires an extra $1 billion in taxes.

“Gov. Pritzker has made it abundantly clear that Illinoisans are not his priority. By any financial measurement, such out-of-control spending is not sustainable, and puts Illinois’ fiscal future in jeopardy,” Tracy said. “It’s more spending, more taxes, and fewer opportunities for the people who are already being squeezed the hardest. The Governor needs to shift his focus to our working families who deserve a budget that reflects their values and needs.”

Tracy voted no on the budget as did State Rep. Kyle Moore (R-Quincy) who said the new budget is $2 billion more than last year’s spending plan.

“Only a few months ago Governor Pritzker told us all in his budget address ‘If you come to the table looking to spend more I’m going to ask you where you want to cut’. A budget that spends billions more than last year means there will be no cuts,” Moore said. “Instead, there will be tax hikes…and more families and businesses will leave Illinois,” Rep. Moore said. “We don’t need more spending. We need reforms and good policy. We need to reduce costs by identifying and fixing agency inefficiencies. And we need to reduce the tax burden on our families and businesses, not add more to it.”