Kane County Reporter

As Illinois families receive income and property tax rebates, Sen. Don DeWitte (R-West Dundee) is suspicious of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s motivation.

"During the spring session, Senate Republicans pushed for more permanent tax relief, but those efforts were blocked by the Majority Party," DeWitte wrote in a press release. "I voted in favor of the Democrats’ temporary relief but called it an 'election year gimmick' that ignores Illinoisans’ need for real, permanent tax relief. But make no mistake. Having checks arrive during early voting and right up to Election Day is a clear attempt by the Pritzker Administration to ingratiate Democrats with voters."

As part of this fiscal year's $46.5 billion budget, some Illinoisans will receive rebate checks in the mail this fall, ABC 8 reported. The Illinois Family Relief Plan, which was included in the budget, allocates $1.8 billion for tax rebates.

Illinoisans who were residents of the state in 2021 and have an income of less than $200,000, or $400,000 for joint filers, are eligible to receive a $50 income tax rebate, or $100 for a married couple, plus an additional $100 per dependent. Illinois property owners with an income of less than $250,000, or $500,000 for joint filers, are eligible for a property tax rebate of 5% of what they paid in property taxes, up to $300 per household.

Illinois Policy wrote the rebates are part of Gov. Pritzker’s effort to help Illinois families. However, it faulted the governor for suspending the state’s 1% grocery tax but keeping the 6.25% rate on general merchandise.

“This $1.8 billion in tax relief is possible because Democrats balanced the budget, eliminated the bill backlog, funded schools, fixed roads — and through responsible financial decision-making — still found ourselves with a one-time surplus,” Pritzker said in a statement. “There are those who might have sent those funds straight back into the pockets of the 1% and big corporations instead of to working families, but that's not what good government does.”

The State Journal-Register reported the deadline to file a 2021 IL-1040 is Oct. 17

During his term as governor, Pritzker has imposed 24 tax and fee increases, costing the average Illinois family an extra $2,721, while the temporary tax relief included in the FY 2023 budget will save the average family $556, Illinois Policy reported.

“The Illinois Family Relief Plan continues to fight inflation and lower costs for the people of our state during these challenging economic times,” Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said in a statement last week, NBC Chicago reported. “Income and tax rebates are on the way to ease the burden and provide support to families throughout the state. Our administration cares and will continue to do all it can to make Illinois one of the best states in the nation to live.”

Illinois’ property tax rate is the second highest in the nation at 2.27%, behind only New Jersey, according to a June report by Rocket Mortgage. The owner of a $194,500 home in Illinois pays $4,942 annually in property taxes. Thirty states have property tax rates lower than 1%.

A March report by WalletHub found that Illinois has the tenth overall highest tax burden in the nation at 9.7%. The report weighed property taxes, income taxes, and sales and excise taxes. 

Pritzker will face Republican gubernatorial nominee Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) in the Nov. 8 election.