Illinois Brings in Record-High Revenue and STILL Hikes Taxes in New Budget
Democrat lawmakers approved another record-high budget this year, even after the state collected the highest amount of revenue in Illinois history last year (a record $54 billion in tax revenue). The new spending plan includes nearly $1 billion in additional tax hikes and a series of short-term budget gimmicks that Republican lawmakers say point to a serious spending problem in Springfield.
Over the past six years, government spending under Governor Pritzker has ballooned by 37%. Has your family’s income grown by 37% over the last six years? Of course not.
Despite the record-breaking revenue stream, Democrat lawmakers still pushed for more during the most recent spring legislative session, floating a list of tax proposals that would have affected people across the state. Tax ideas discussed included a $1.50 delivery tax on everything from groceries to baby formula, a tax on everyday services, like car repairs or haircuts, and a mom-and-pop digital ad tax that would have punished small, family-owned businesses. While those ideas did not make it into the final budget, Republican lawmakers warn that they are still under consideration by Democrats.
Instead of asking for more from taxpayers, Governor Pritzker and his Democrat allies need to get serious about responsible budgeting, living within their means and protecting taxpayers.
Senator Chesney Hosts Summer Agriculture Advisory Committee Meeting
I had a very productive meeting of my Agriculture Advisory Committee last week in Freeport. Thank you to Chris Davis, Director of State Legislation for the Illinois Farm Bureau, for being our guest speaker, and to Lou Lamoreux for serving as Chair of this important committee.
Agriculture is the top economic driver in the State of Illinois, and the 45th Senate District is home to hundreds of farms and several agribusinesses. Hardworking individuals like those serving on my Agriculture Advisory Committee are truly the drivers of the Illinois economy.
These meetings always provide an excellent platform for an informative and useful exchange of ideas, and I thank all of the members who could attend. My Agriculture Advisory Committee meets 2-3 times yearly to discuss important issues affecting farmers and the agriculture community in Northwest Illinois.
How to Submit a Witness Slip on the New ILGA Website
On July 1, the Illinois General Assembly launched a major update to its website, www.ilga.gov, marking the most significant redesign in nearly two decades.
While the new layout is more modern and mobile-friendly, it also comes with some changes that may affect how constituents engage with the legislative process.
One of the most important tools available to the public is the witness slip, which allows individuals to express support or opposition to specific bills being heard in committee. If you want your opinion on a bill officially recorded, understanding the new process is essential.
Here is a quick guide to filing a witness slip under the new system:
- Go to www.ilga.gov
- Navigate to either the Senate Schedules or the House Schedules
- Under Hearing Schedules, select the Today, Week, or Month tab
- Click on Details for the hearing you’re interested in
- Select Create Witness Slip
- Fill out the required fields and submit
Senate Republicans have also put together a short video walkthrough to help guide you through the new process. You can watch that video here.
Submitting a witness slip is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make your voice heard in Springfield. Whether you are supporting a bill that impacts your community or speaking out against a proposal you believe would cause harm, your input matters.
Witness slips can only be filed when a bill is assigned to be heard in a committee.
