CHICAGO — Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it agreed to hear Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12) and Judicial Watch’s case challenging an Illinois law that unconstitutionally extends Election Day for 14 days beyond the date established by federal law.
“Illinois voters deserve to know the results of their elections as early as possible,” said ILGOP Chair Kathy Salvi. “Only ballots received by Election Day should be counted – not ballots received up to two weeks after the election. Illinois’ ballot acceptance window creates a dangerous opportunity for bad actors that further erodes election integrity. The Illinois Republican Party will always support efforts to strengthen and secure our election process.”
“With the American people’s confidence in our elections at a discouraging low point, it’s more important than ever we work to restore their trust,” said Bost. “I believe a big part of that effort is ensuring all votes are tallied by Election Day, not days or weeks later. I am thankful the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear my appeal of Illinois’ election law. This is a critical moment for the rule of law and election integrity.”
In Illinois, mail-in ballots are still counted if they arrive up to 14 days after Election Day. Even if a ballot doesn’t have a postmark, it may still be accepted if it is dated on or before Election Day. Last year, a Seventh Circuit panel determined that Congressman Bost could not challenge Illinois’ ballot counting provision. Congressman Bost introduced his suit in May, 2022.
CHICAGO — This weekend, in the dead of the night, Illinois Democrats passed the largest spending plan in state history, including $800 million in tax increases and new spending on illegal immigrants. See for yourself how Illinois Republicans stood united against this irresponsible, tax-and-spend budget:
Republicans could only roll their eyes: State Sen. Terri Bryant echoed her GOP colleagues, calling the budget “irresponsible, unsustainable and wrong for Illinois.”
Republicans also criticized Democrats for “ramming” the budget through in the last hours of the session.
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There’s a lot that didn’t get done: The transit bill to prevent a “financial cliff” in the transportation industry failed to pass — there’s talk now of returning to Springfield to address the problem. An energy bill that would protect the state’s power grid didn’t pass. And an omnibus bill to improve elections didn’t pass. And a proposal to overhaul the state’s Tier 2 pension system (which affects public employees hired on or after Jan. 1, 2011) didn’t make it over the finish line, either (though lawmakers did approve $75 million for a reserve fund for the program).
Chicago Sun Times: Illinois Democrats pass budget in final minutes with sports betting tax hike
Taxes were also set to be boosted up to 45% on cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and chewing tobacco.
And while legislators dropped a proposal to impose a 10% digital advertising tax on tech companies like Facebook, a new method of taxing large out-of-state companies for their Illinois presence was expected to churn out an additional $72 million while a tax amnesty program was expected to claw back some $198 million from delinquents.
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Superminority Republicans, boxed out of budget talks as usual, roundly bashed the Democratic plan.
“You know how it’s a bad budget? When it starts out with at least $1 billion in taxes,” said Senate Minority Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, slammed Democrats for including nearly 5% pay raises for General Assembly members, increases that are tied to inflation under state law.
“Speaker Welch said the quiet part out loud: tax-and-spend Democrats are thriving in Illinois — at the expense of Illinois families,” McCombie said.
Chicago Tribune: Illinois lawmakers pass budget with tax hikes on tobacco, gambling — but adjourn without transit, Bears stadium
Democratic state lawmakers voted late Saturday, just minutes before their midnight deadline, to send Gov. JB Pritzker the final piece of a $55 billion budget balanced with a combination of spending cuts and an estimated $800 million plus in tax increases, including hikes on tobacco products, vaping and online sportsbooks.
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Republicans criticized what they called a bloated budget and said the Democrats’ attempts to lay blame on Trump Republicans in Washington are misguided.
“The tax-and-spend Democrats … are so unfamiliar with cost-cutting, they call it chaos,” said GOP Rep. William Hauter of Morton. “They wasted billions. And they are prepared to waste billions more. Wake up, Illinois. Vote ‘no.’”
Pointing to the $40 billion budget approved after Pritzker first took office in 2019 and last year’s roughly $53 billion plan, Sen. Chapin Rose of Mahomet, a GOP budget negotiator, said Democrats must shoulder the blame for the state’s fiscal issues.
“Let’s be clear: $15 billion over six years, that’s on you,” Rose said. “$2 billion increase over last year, that’s on you. Billions of dollars in tax increases that are driving working families out of Illinois, that’s on you.”
Senate Republican leader John Curran of Downers Grove faulted Democrats for once again pushing their budget package through in the final hours of the legislature’s spring session without sufficient time for review, particularly on the tax side of the ledger.
WLS ABC: Illinois lawmakers pass $55.2B budget with new taxes, immigrant health cuts, no transit funding
The budget marked a roughly 3.9% spending increase from the current year, while Republicans criticized it for containing few cuts. It raises about $500 million more in new revenue than what Gov. JB Pritzker proposed in February to make up for declining base revenues.
The minority party also aired frustration with supermajority Democrats for providing next to no time for public review of the massive spending plan and other major bills.
“We’re rushing this process like we always do. ‘Let’s hide this stuff. Let’s hide it so that the public doesn’t see it until it’s too late,'” Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, said.
WMAQ NBC: Illinois budget passes, includes tax increases on sports wagering, tobacco
Republicans blasted the increases in spending and tax revenue included in the budget agreement, arguing that they’d been cut out of negotiations and that Democrats are using a variety of maneuvers to artificially balance the budget.
“Rather than pursuing meaningful structural reforms to secure our state’s future, Democrats chose to prioritize political pay raises, steal from the rainy-day fund, and funnel money into their own pork projects,” House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said in a statement.
WGN: Illinois lawmakers approve $55.2B budget, tax hikes on sports betting and tobacco just before midnight deadline
Assistant House Minority Leader Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) decried the budget, saying it raises taxes for constituents in his and other Republican-led districts while providing them nothing in benefits.
“There is so much pork in here, and none of it is in any of these folks’ districts here,” Cabello said. “Their taxpayers are paying for this, and they get nothing, except another almost billion-dollar tax increase placed on them.”
He also said Democrats’ claims that the Trump administration’s policies are affecting state budget decisions are not accurate.
“It’s not the Trump administration that is constantly raising taxes on the State of Illinois, it’s what is coming out of this dome,” Cabello said.
WGLT FM: Central Illinois lawmakers stick to party lines on state budget
The budget includes $55.2 billion in spending, a 3.9% increase. Revenue estimates total $55.3 billion, with $1 billion in new taxes on nicotine products, sports betting, and businesses.
Democrats revealed the budget 48 hours before the midnight deadline on Saturday; lawmakers would need to a three-fifths majority to pass any bills after that.
That led to heated committee meetings. Republican state Rep. Ryan Spain of Peoria questioned budget management in a series of questions, and was left with many unanswered questions.
Spain brought his frustration to the House floor.
“At the end of the day, this continues to double down on a failed economic strategy in the state of Illinois,” Spain said. “That’s why for 30 years, not for one year, not for [the] occupant of the White House, for 30 years this state has continued to fall behind all other states. All national growth models.”
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Republican lawmakers in Central Illinois and across the state spent the last days of session in frustration.
Republican state Rep. Travis Weaver of Pekin called the whole process and budget itself “grotesque.”
“It’s out of touch with the state of Illinois,” Weaver said. “Here we are once again, with the largest budget that we’ve ever had that’s got a billion dollars of tax increases and gimmicks in it, and we already had a growing budget because of revenue. Natural revenue growth. April was the highest revenue month in Illinois history. And yet, that was not enough for Illinois tax-and-spend Democrats.”
Republican state Sen. Sally Turner, who represents parts of Bloomington-Normal, also was disappointed, particularly as the budget relates to agriculture.
“Our farm families are hurting, and one of the things that is important is the value of our land and how we treat our land and how our farmers respect our land,” Turner said. “And one of the things we didn’t see is additional money for soil and water, commerce, conservation, and two years ago they cut the budget way down for soil and water, and then the next year left it flat, and this year made it flat.
“So, there’s nothing new for farmers for conservation issues such as the different things that they use for cover crops and things of that nature.
CHICAGO — As Illinois Democrats push towards Saturday’s budget deadline, don’t forget that their tax-and-spend agenda is expected to make this the biggest state budget in history – and now they’re scrambling to find a way to pay for it. For years, JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats have mismanaged our state’s finances, placing the burden squarely on the backs of taxpayers and working families to fund pet projects and out-of-touch priorities. Now, Democrats are pushing new taxes, assisted suicide, and benefits for illegal immigrants. See for yourself:
$4.24 billion in investment and wealth taxes
$2.7 billion in new service taxes
$1.89 billion in gambling and casino taxes
Passed physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients
Guarantees free public education for illegal immigrants
All Republicans stand united against this irresponsible budget.
“JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats have driven our state into the ground,” said ILGOP Chair Kathy Salvi. “This budget treats Illinois families as a piggy bank for do-nothing policies and a bloated budget that prioritizes physician-assisted suicide and illegal immigrants. The Illinois Republican Party stands with House and Senate Republicans as they work towards a responsible and fiscally sound budget and fight against Democrats’ tax-and-spend agenda rule changes and political games.”
Bottom Line: Under JB Pritzker’s out-of-control spending, Illinois’ budget has ballooned by more than $15 billion.
CHICAGO — Just one year after forcing through hundreds-of-millions of dollars in new taxes, Illinois Democrats are once again coming after working families’ wallets. Despite already presiding over one of the highest-taxed states in the country, Governor JB Pritzker and his Democratic allies in the legislature are now eyeing a new round of taxes, this time targeting basic services used by Illinois families.
Facing a staggering $536 million budget shortfall of their own making, Democrats are proposing to expand the state sales tax to a wide range of everyday services, effectively increasing the cost of living for millions of Illinois residents.
According to State Representative Ryan Spain (R-Peoria), the new tax plan could hit consumers at nearly every turn, including:
Car washes
Car rentals
Repair services
Mini-storage
Barbershops and hair salons
Landscaping and Plumbing
Streaming services
Don’t Forget: Extreme tax hikes are nothing new to JB Pritzker. Today, Pritzker and Illinois Democrats’ budget sits at $55 billion- a $16 billionincrease since Pritzker took office in 2019.
CHICAGO — This morning, President Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill passed the House of Representatives with the unwavering support of Illinois Republicans. This landmark legislation locks in key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and delivers permanent tax relief for working families, small business owners, seniors, and farmers across our state. Make no mistake, this is a win for Illinois families.
In stark contrast, every single House Democrat stood in opposition to the largest middle-and working-class tax cut in American history – further proof that they are not serious about lowering taxes, reining in reckless spending, securing our border, unleashing American energy, or making government work for the hardworking families of Illinois.
Bottom Line: Illinois Democrats Jonathan Jackson, Robin Kelly, Delia Ramirez, Chuy García, Mike Quigley, Sean Casten, Danny Davis, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jan Schakowsky, Brad Schneider, Bill Foster, Nikki Budzinski, Lauren Underwood and Eric Sorensen voted to raise your taxes.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority is stuck between a rock and a hard place, over-promising on an expensive, overly ambitious project that is now more than $2 BILLION over budget, all of it on the taxpayers dime. With no clear explanation for the ballooning costs, it sure seems like the Chicago Transit Authority is moving ahead on a terrible decision that will harm Chicago for decades.
See for yourself:
FIRST: Construction of the Red Line Extension is scheduled to begin in 2026, funded in part by $2 billion in federal dollars. The Chicago Transit Authority announced its poor decision to finance the project with bonds, which will take decades to pay off.
THEN: The project’s price tag has exploded by BILLIONS of dollars
NOW: Chicago taxpayers are being asked to shoulder an additional $3.77 billion to try and fund one of “the most expensive transit projects in the world.”
Can we expect Democrats like Raja Krishnamoorthi and Juliana Stratton to make the same kinds of budget blunders in Washington that they’ve supported here in Illinois?
CHICAGO — Today marks two long years of Brandon Johnson’s tenure as America’s worst mayor, a period defined by fiscal recklessness, union favoritism, and broken promises. With an approval rating of just 6.6%, the lowest in U.S. history, Johnson is the latest far-left symbol of failed leadership. Take a look at Brandon Johnson’s biggest failures over the last two years:
Tax Hikes and Broken Promises Johnson’s obsession with tax hikes has crushed residents and caused businesses to leave our great state. Last year, he proposed a $300 million property tax increase before admitting it was just to “get people’s attention.” Additionally, he pushed for $830 million in borrowing despite the city’s poor credit rating, fueling fears that the money would go toward political allies and union contracts, not city needs. All this despite a campaign promise not to raise property taxes – what Chicago families now see as a blatant lie.
A Mayor for the CTU, Not Chicago A former Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) organizer, Johnson is now nothing more than CTU’s puppet. The latest $1.4 billion CTU contract included raises and class size limits, but left CPS with a $500 million annual deficit and an unpaid $175 million pension tab. When push comes to shove, Johnson will always sacrifice public education for union politics.
Cronyism and Corruption Johnson’s administration has blurred every ethical line from accepting gifts to playing politics with crime and education. He even installed his chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, as interim CPS superintendent, despite her lack of qualifications and deep CTU ties. Furthermore, his former campaign chair, CTU employee Tara Stamps, resigned amid an ethics probe over her dual roles during contract negotiations. Even City Hall’s so-called “gift room” now showcases a CTU strike poster, a not-so-subtle display of where his loyalties lie.
A City Deserves Better Two years in, Johnson has proven himself unfit to lead. He will always put political cronies and corrupt unions first. The only question left is: How much lower can Johnson’s approval rating go?
CHICAGO — The ILGOP is thrilled with the election of the first American Pope in history, a Chicago native, Cardinal Robert Prevost who will go by Pope Leo XIV.
We hope that you join us and millions of Catholics around the world in celebrating our 267th Pope,Pope Leo XIV
CHICAGO — Yesterday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Springfield to call out JB Pritzker’s sanctuary city policies that have enabled criminals and put Illinois families at risk. Noem focused on the importance of putting America First and making sure that our communities are safe – a stark contrast from JB Pritzker’s agenda of putting criminal illegal immigrants above Illinois. Here’s what they are saying about Noem’s important visit to Springfield:
Standing alongside a handful of Illinois Republican state lawmakers, Noem criticized Pritzker, claiming Illinois doesn’t protect its citizens, and demanded the state change.
“I’m calling on Gov. Pritzker and all the other leaders of this state to abandon their dangerous sanctuary policies,” she said. “I’m thankful for all the state leaders that are standing behind me who agree as well. They have been fighting an uphill battle with this governor, and I’m proud of them that they’re standing here with us today and with these angel families, and saying enough is enough. We have to change as a state.”
“People are dying every day because of these policies. People are evading justice,” Noem said. “Governors like JB Pritzker don’t care if gangbangers, murderers, rapists and pedophiles roam free in his state.”
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Ahead of Noem’s visit, Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of central Illinois, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, called on Illinois sheriffs to defy the state’s sanctuary laws, “uphold President Trump’s federal immigration policies, and cooperate with ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to deport illegal aliens.”
“We must act now before one more innocent American life is lost or harmed,” she said in a statement.
Republican state Sen. Andrew Chesney, a Trump delegate during last summer’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, on Tuesday applauded Noem for stopping in Illinois and criticized Pritzker for “rolling out the red carpet for illegal immigrants.”
Illinois Republicans, including Sens. Chapin Rose, Terri Bryant and Sue Rezin, stood alongside Noem. Noem held the briefing with “angel families,” a term used by anti-immigration advocates to describe relatives of victims killed by people who lack legal status. President Donald Trump has long focused on the deaths of Americans at the hands of people who lacked legal status, and Noem is following in his steps.
Noem’s visit also shows that Trump is actively targeting Pritzker, who is seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender. Republicans have criticized Pritzker for a political speech in New Hampshire last month in which he called for “mass protests for mobilization, for disruption.” The GOP interpreted that as a call to incite violence, which Pritzker has strongly denied.
Noem made reference to that speech on Wednesday as well.
“Shame on him for standing up the other day and saying Republicans should never know a moment of peace. This country is desperate for peace,” Noem said. “It’s desperate for safe communities and streets where they can walk their children to school and no have to worry about getting robbed or stabbed.”
“I’m going to fight for the victims every single day and draw attention to them as long as we can, and President Trump will continue to do that as well. We should be united as a country around bringing violent criminals to justice and getting them out of the United States of America.”
Speaking outside the governor’s mansion, Noem claimed Illinois’ approach has led to a rise in violent crime.
“This governor has bragged about Illinois being a firewall against President Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda and it is very clear that he is violating the Constitution of the United States because it is a federal law that the federal government and the president set and enforce immigration policies,” Noem said.
A visit to Springfield Wednesday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sparking debate over Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies.
Noem flew into Springfield’s airport and then went to a Springfield DHS processing center to talk with federal agents and two non-citizens being processed.
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“Gov. Pritzker, change your ways. Protect your people. Help us clean up our streets and help us stop this violent, illegal alien criminal activity that is happening in your state,” she said.
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Illinois Republicans say the state should amend the law that prohibits state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials in enforcing civil detention orders. They also say Illinois’ sanctuary laws harm public safety and drain Illinois tax dollars for non-citizen health care subsidies and more.
CHICAGO — Back in June 2023, JB Pritzker, Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, and a crowd of lawmakers flocked to Joliet, patting themselves on the back as they cut the ribbon on Lion Electric’s electric vehicle plant. Fast forward two years and Lion Electric’s disastrous tenure in Illinois is coming to an end. The results of Pritzker’s “EV Flop” speak for themselves:
December 2024: The wheels on the bus fell off as Lion Electric shuttered their Joliet plant and laid off hundreds across the United States and Canada
Last week: Quebec announced it would NOT invest $24 million to help Lion relaunch
May 15th: The company’s equipment goes on the auction block, and liquidation seems all but certain
Don’t forget: Last December, Pritzker announced that $19.9 million of our taxpayer dollars would be used to build 70 electric school buses in nine school districts — over $284,000 per bus.
