Election Year Gimmicks Can’t Save Pritzker From Tax-Hiking Record

There is an adage in politics that says the worse the internal poll numbers are, the more gimmicky a candidate’s campaign proposals become. For Governor JB Pritzker, 2022 is shaping up to be a bad year for his electoral hopes as crime, corruption, and high taxes continue running roughshod over Illinois families.

He needs a pick-me-up and this year’s joint budget and State of the State address is his latest attempt at distracting Illinoisans from his disastrous leadership and well documented record of asking us to pay more for a state government that doesn’t work.

Despite today’s election year gimmicks, Pritzker has a consistent record of supporting tax hikes. Sometimes he was successful in enacting them, and sometimes he was not. Let’s check the tape:

  • Pritzker spent $58 million of his own money to try and convince Illinoisans to change the state constitution allowing for a massive income tax hike and the ability for Springfield lawmakers to increase middle class taxes whenever they want. Luckily, Illinois families said no to the largest tax hike in state history.
  • Failing to pass the largest tax hike in Illinois history, Pritzker then turned to small businesses, increasing taxes by over $600 million on job creators across the state.
  • When the federal bailout disappears and Pritzker’s out-of-control spending sends us even deeper into debt, Pritzker’s already telegraphed what he will do next: raise the income tax by 20%.

“Pritzker has never once pursued true property tax relief for Illinois families despite billions of dollars in federal bailout money flowing to our state, complete Democrat control at the capitol, and three years to get it done,” said ILGOP Chairman Don Tracy. “And now he has the audacity to trot out these campaign gimmicks that pale in comparison to the $5.2 billion in tax and fee hikes he has already imposed on us? Pritzker is a proven tax-hiker, and that’s why we need a Governor who will provide permanent property tax relief, spend within our means, and lower taxes.”

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ILGOP Chairman Responds to Pritzker Re-Election Announcement

Governor JB Pritzker released a COVID-themed video today announcing his re-election campaign for a second term. Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy released the following statement in response:

“During a global pandemic that required steady leadership, Governor Pritzker failed our most vulnerable in their time of need. When our children missed an entire year of in-person education, Pritzker was silent while political teachers unions forced children to stay home even when the science and CDC said they should be back in school. When thousands of Illinoisans were laid off from work, they went weeks without help from Pritzker’s incompetent state unemployment agency. And when our nation’s elderly heroes needed protection from the virus in our state facilities, the tragic mistakes of the Pritzker administration led to the death of 36 veterans at Lasalle Veterans Home.

Governor Pritzker’s record on helping Illinois through the pandemic is a failure. I look forward to talking about that and his radical policy agenda out of step with Illinoisans in the upcoming election.”

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ILGOP Announces Process for Filling 13th CD State Central Committeeman Vacancy

Fred Floreth, who represented the 13th Congressional District on the Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee, has recently stepped down from the position. Today, the ILGOP is announcing the process for selecting his replacement.

  • If interested in serving on the ILGOP State Central Committee and you live in the 13th Congressional district, please fill out an application (see below) and return via email to ILGOP Executive Director Derek Murphy by 5 PM, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Email him at [email protected].
  • Applicants will be interviewed in-person at 10 AM, Saturday, March 6, 2021 at the Sangamon County GOP Headquarters in Springfield, IL (1132 E Sangamon Ave). 
  • The selection will be made that Saturday via a weighted vote of the GOP County Chairman within the 13th Congressional District.