Standing Against the Democrats’ Bloated Budget
I voted against yet another massive Democrat budget in Springfield. At 3 a.m., Illinois Democrats patted themselves on the back for ramming through a record-shattering $56 billion spending spree that piles on more than $800 million in new tax hikes.
After thousands of pages and only a few hours to review it, the result was exactly what we have come to expect: more spending, more taxes, and zero real relief for working families. Illinoisans face some of the highest property taxes, gas taxes, sales taxes, and energy costs in the country.
This is exactly what is wrong with our state. Far-left Democrats claim to care, but their actions prove they are completely out of touch. While they explode government spending by over 40 percent during their time in power, hardworking families get stuck with the worst unemployment rate in the Midwest, and an economy growing at half the speed of the nation.
After eight years of Governor Pritzker’s tax-and-spend agenda, the results are clear. Thousands of Illinoisans have fled to better-run states, businesses are closing or leaving, and trust in Springfield is gone.
Illinois deserves better. It is time to put Illinois First, stop the reckless spending, cut taxes, and fight for the working families who keep this state alive.
Voting Against the Bears Backroom Tax Scam
Two months ago, I drew a hard line in the sand: If Springfield was willing to cut a sweetheart tax deal for a professional sports franchise, then they had better deliver real, meaningful property tax relief for the families and job creators getting absolutely crushed in this state.
I kept that pledge and voted no when the Bears bill came before the Senate. Although the bill was not called in the House, this backroom Bears scam is nothing but raw crony capitalism on steroids. This is a rigged deal handed to billionaires while everyday taxpayers keep bleeding out on their skyrocketing property tax bills. It is corporate welfare dressed up as economic development, and I am sick of it.
I want the Bears to stay in Illinois. I want Caleb Williams and those Cardiac Bears delivering fourth-quarter miracles right here where they belong. But we will not sell out the hardworking people of this state to make it happen. The taxpayers who built Illinois are not an ATM for billionaires and connected politicians.
Springfield still has an opportunity to do this right: deliver real, broad property tax relief for every overburdened homeowner and small business owner.
I stand with the taxpayers of Illinois. Period.
Springfield’s Disgrace: Illegal Immigrants Get In-State Tuition While Illinois Families Foot the Bill
This last week Democrats passed legislation allowing out-of-state illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates at all Illinois public universities.
You can’t make this stuff up.
At a time when college tuition is already too expensive for many Illinois families, the out-of-touch Left wing politicians have decided to expand benefits to people who are not even legal residents of our country. Once again, the taxpayers who play by the rules are being asked to take a back seat.
Supporters of the bill claim it will help more students access higher education. What they fail to mention is that somebody has to pay for it. University bureaucracies are happy because it means more students and more revenue flowing into their institutions. Meanwhile, Illinois families continue to struggle with rising tuition costs, higher taxes, and the growing cost of living.
I believe our priority should be making college more affordable for Illinois residents and their children, not creating new benefits for those who ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE.
That’s why I voted no. Illinois families deserve to come first.
