SPRINGFIELD — state Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) issued the following release Monday after voting no on the FY27 budget.
The budget spends a record $55.9 billion, balanced by an increase of $800 million in new taxes and fees. The budget passed the House of Representatives on a partisan vote.
“Democrats promised affordability but instead delivered the largest budget in Illinois history along with $800 million in new taxes and fees,’’ Schweizer said. “At a time when families are struggling with higher costs for groceries, gas, housing, and utilities, this budget asks taxpayers to pay even more.
“Rather than providing meaningful relief, Democrats approved a 3.2% pay raise for legislators, failed to increase the reimbursement percentage for the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) to help reduce pressure on local taxpayers, and allocated another $410 million for immigrant support services.”
According to the release, since taking office, Governor Pritzker has increased state spending by 40%, enacting 57 tax and fee increases, which have cost taxpayers more than $77 billion.
“While Democrats continue their tax-and-spend cycle, they consciously choose to not advance measures focused on providing affordability for working families. House Republicans have filed bills that would suspend the gas sales tax, give meaningful property tax relief and reform, not impose taxes on tips, and many others. Unfortunately, those measures were never given serious consideration.”
“Illinois families deserve a government that lives within its means just as they do. Instead of delivering affordability, this budget continues the same tax-and-spend approach that has made Illinois less affordable for working families. I voted no because taxpayers deserve better,” Schweizer said.
For more information, please contact Schweizer at 217-477-0104 or by visiting RepSchweizer.com.