Pritzker’s Spending Surge Comes at Taxpayers’ Expense
At a time when Illinois families are cutting back to make ends meet, Democrats in Springfield are pushing a $6 billion tax hike to fund massive government expansion, including what is shaping up to be the largest state budget in Illinois history.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget is nearly $15 billion larger than when he first took office. Now, Democrats want taxpayers to foot the bill through another series of new and expanded taxes.
Illinois already carries the highest overall tax burden in the country. And just last week, the American Legislative Exchange Council released its “Rich States, Poor States” 2025 report, which ranks Illinois near the bottom in a study of how friendly state policies are for economic growth. The report judges each state based on 15 different economic outlook factors, including property tax rate, sales tax rate, top marginal income tax rate, top marginal corporate tax rate, how progressive the personal income tax rate is, as well as whether there is an inheritance tax. The report also considers the state minimum wage, average worker’s compensation costs, whether it is a right-to-work state, the size of the debt, and the number of public employees compared to the state population. Only Vermont and New York scored worse than Illinois on these combined metrics.
The new proposed taxes in the Democrat plan would drive up consumer costs, discourage investment, and make it even harder for family-owned farms and businesses to stay in the family and survive.
Republicans are also sounding the alarm over plans to funnel some of the new revenue into expanding government benefits, including programs for individuals who are in the United States illegally.
While Democrats are pushing tax hikes, growing government, and prioritizing programs that hurt the very people they claim to represent, Senate Republicans are doubling down on their efforts to stand up for working families and fight for lower taxes, more opportunity, and a future where people can afford to stay in Illinois.
While Illinois Struggles, Governor Pritzker Chases the National Spotlight
As working families across Illinois face mounting economic challenges, Governor Pritzker has launched a new national tour aimed at elevating his political profile, choosing to focus on out-of-state campaign stops and partisan attacks instead of addressing the critical issues affecting his constituents at home.
While the Governor travels the country and seeks favor with political insiders, Illinois families continue to bear the weight of some of the highest property taxes in the nation, a financial strain that many simply cannot afford. At the same time, Illinois has the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest, falling further behind neighboring states that are attracting jobs and investment. Rather than leading the charge to create economic opportunities and improve conditions here, Governor Pritzker appears more interested in promoting himself on the national stage.
Under Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois has also experienced one of the fastest rates of population loss in the country, as families and businesses alike flee to states where life is more affordable and opportunity is within reach. Rather than focusing on solutions to lower costs, creating jobs, and keeping families rooted in Illinois, Governor Pritzker has chosen to prioritize cable news appearances and scoring political points on a national stage. Senate Republicans argue that Illinois deserves a leader who is committed to putting this state first, not one who uses his office as a steppingstone to national attention.
Legislation Advances to Help Farmers Address Deer Overpopulation
In response to widespread concerns from farmers about the costly damage caused by deer overpopulation, legislation I am co-sponsoring this year aimed at streamlining the permit process for harvesting deer unanimously passed the Illinois Senate on May 1.
Senate Bill 710 would loosen regulations concerning nuisance permits and landowner permits by providing for the automatic issuance of additional antlerless-only permits during the regular firearm or archery season if a landowner demonstrates proof of harvesting certain percentages.
The bill also makes farmers and landowners who own or lease at least 40 acres of commercial farmland eligible to receive free deer and turkey permits to hunt on their property. These permits would include one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit for both firearm and archery deer seasons. Additionally, landowners with nuisance permits would be allowed to authorize others to hunt on their property to assist with deer removal efforts.
For landowners with 240 acres or more, the legislation would allow the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to issue one guest either-sex deer permit and one guest antlerless-only deer permit.
Senate Bill 710 now heads to the House for further consideration.
Legislation Targeting “Zombie Drug” Passes Senate
In an effort to address the growing threat of dangerous synthetic drugs in Illinois, the Senate has passed legislation to more strictly regulate xylazine, a powerful animal tranquilizer that is increasingly being found in the illicit drug supply. I am a co-sponsor of this important bill.
Senate Bill 1773 amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act to classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance. The measure responds to a disturbing rise in overdose cases involving the drug, often referred to as the “zombie drug.” In addition to strengthening criminal penalties for the unlawful possession or distribution of xylazine, Senate Bill 1773 includes important protections for legitimate veterinary and wildlife use.
Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health shows that xylazine was detected in 45 overdose deaths in 2020 and in more than 200 deaths by 2022. While not approved for human use, xylazine is often used to enhance the effects of other drugs, making it especially dangerous and difficult to treat.
Senate Bill 1773 now moves to the House for consideration.
Fallen Officers, K9s Honored at Capitol
The Illinois Police Officer Memorial Ceremony took place on May 1 in the Capital City to honor the brave law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The day began with a squad car procession lining up at the Illinois State Fairgrounds at 6:30 a.m., followed by an interfaith church service at 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, less than a mile from the Illinois State Capitol. The formal memorial ceremony was held at the Illinois State Library, where officers, families, and officials paid tribute to the fallen heroes whose names will be added to the Illinois Police Memorial.
This ceremony was a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our law enforcement officers. My Senate Republican colleagues and I proudly stand behind police officers, honoring their service and the sacrifices they make to protect Illinois communities.
Nine fallen officers will have their names added to a monument in Springfield that honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities. For the first time, the ceremony also included a tribute to K-9 partners who were killed in the line of duty.
Chesney Partners with Alliance of Realtors for Pet Food Drive
I want to thank everyone who has made a donation so far in my Pet Food Donation Drive done in cooperation with the Northwest Illinois Alliance of Realtors. Food collected through this drive will benefit the Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport. The drive will take place through May 16.
Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
Senator Andrew Chesney’s Office
50 West Douglas Street, Suite #1001, Freeport
Northwest Illinois Alliance of Realtors
773 W. Lincoln Blvd, Suite 304-A, Freeport, AND
1161 Tebala Blvd, Rockford
Keller Williams
809 Spring Street, Galena
For additional information about this event please call (815) 395-6777 or email Ashley at Ashley@nwrealtors.org.
Document Shredding Event Scheduled in Machesney Park for May 10
Don’t forget that if you have sensitive documents, like old bank records, receipts, and other papers, that are in need of safe destruction, you can bring them to a free shred event that will be held this Saturday, May 10, at the Machesney Park Town Center, which is the former mall. Machesney Park Mayor Steve Johnson will join me as a co-host of this popular event.
Participants are asked to follow traffic signs and remain in their vehicles. Shred truck staff will unload cars. Parking will be available for those who wish to see their documents fed into the shredder. While paper folders, staples and paper clips can be fed into the shredder, large binder clips, plastic file folders, and old floppy discs cannot be. Additionally, no electronics will be accepted for recycling or disposal at this event.
