CHICAGO — Earlier this week, in the middle of the night, Illinois Democrats passed their newest budget, pushing $750 million in tax hikes onto Illinois families. Check out what they are saying about the Democratic machine’s newest tax-and-spend bill:
The Center Square: “In the dead of night, Illinois House Democrats approved the largest spending plan in state history. The more than $53 billion plan increases taxes by $750 million and spends 32% more, or $12.8 billion, than when Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office in 2019. The measure also spends $400 million more than what Pritzker proposed in February.”
Chicago Tribune: “Democratic dominance in the Illinois legislature was put to the test this budget season as House lawmakers stumbled across the finish line at dawn Wednesday, needing three votes and a series of procedural maneuvers to pass a $750 million tax hike package necessary to balance their $53.1 billion spending plan.”
NBC5: “While things like the grocery tax might be eliminated, another provision in the budget could result in a higher tax bill for most of the state’s residents. . .This is going to hit low-income and middle-income families, and it is a tax increase,” Senate Minority Leader John Curran told WBEZ. “If the legislature does not go along with this, people will get a greater tax savings with the current existing law than what the governor has proposed.”
Newsmax: “A Republican Illinois state senator has decried the passage of a $53.1 billion budget by the Democrat-controlled Legislature, claiming taxes were raised nearly $1 billion alone to spend on illegal immigrants who have flooded the state because of President Joe Biden’s open border policies. “We just passed the largest budget in Illinois state history,” state Sen. Dan McConchie said in a video posted on X. “Over $53 billion. It includes almost $1 billion in tax increases and nearly $1 billion on the migrant crisis.”
The State Journal-Register: “The real drama played out when it came time to vote for the revenue package, which includes details on more than $1.1 billion in tax increases. It took three votes and north of two hours in debate, wrapping up a little before 5 a.m., where Democrats holding a 78-40 super-majority had to wrangle for 60 votes.”
The Pantagraph: “That plane just barely avoided a crash landing early Wednesday morning as the Illinois House, in the dark of night, approved the state’s $53.1 billion spending plan for the fiscal year 2025 budget, and – in a theatrical display that took three attempts – the more than $750 million in tax increases and other revenue enhancements needed to keep it in balance.”
Associated Press: “The legislation also grants Pritzker’s desire to provide $182 million to fund services for tens of thousands of migrants seeking asylum in the U.S., largely bused to Chicago from Texas, where they cross the border. And it provides $440 million for health care for noncitizens.”
