Kane County Reporter

Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) said the recently passed state budget is simply using federal relief dollars to make the state seem to be in a better position than it really is.

"An influx of federal relief dollars has allowed Democrats to paint a rosy picture of our state finances without actually making the structural reforms necessary to deliver lasting, long-term relief to Illinois families," Wheeler said. "Do not be fooled by election year gimmicks. Until we have a state government that can learn to live within its means, Illinoisans will continue to shoulder the highest tax burden in the nation."  

The $46.5 billion budget passed the House on the morning of April 9 with a 72-42 vote, WIFR reported. It was only hours after it passed the Senate with a vote of 34-19. 

A Republican complaint with the budget is that it doesn't pay down the $1.8 billion deficit in the state's unemployment insurance trust fund. 

"We're bragging about the best budget in years. We've heard credit rating upgrades are imminent," said Wheeler. "The majority party has had every opportunity to fully pay off the remaining $1.8 billion deficit in the UI trust fund with free money from the federal government."

The budget will freeze Illinois' motor fuel tax at 39 cents per gallon and will suspend the 1% sales tax on groceries, according to NBC5 Chicago. The budget also includes property tax rebates of up to $300 per household. Democrats have praised the budget "for its impacts on taxpayers and its commitment to remaining balanced."

Republicans have been critical of the budget, WAND reported. "This budget includes $1.6 billion in pork projects in Democratic-leaning legislative districts. These include all sorts of things like a 'pilot program' for guaranteed minimum income for women in East St. Louis. This and all of the other projects amount to election-year bribes for their re-election, paid for by all Illinois taxpayers," Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said.