Dupage Policy Journal

Citing the inability to apply a bipartisan approach, Illinois State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) blasted Gov. J.B. Pritzker's budget proposal and virtual State of the State address.

“I was hoping to hear the Governor talk about a bipartisanship approach as we begin the budget conversation,” Curran said. “Unfortunately, what we heard instead was a hyper-partisan speech and name-calling directed at Republicans. He did not strike a productive tone, and considering the incredible challenges this State faces, it was disappointing.”

Pritzker's budget proposal of $41.6 billion exceeds the current revenue projection of the state by a whopping $1.7 billion.

While the governor said that it is necessary to cut the “corporate loopholes” in his “honest” budget, Curran said it is “hypocritical for the Governor to now refer to pro-business tax credits he negotiated as part of the 2019 Bi-Partisan Budget Agreement and Private Scholarships for underprivileged K-12 students as ‘loopholes.'”

He said in his released statement that “these are the same incentives (deductions for equipment purchases and the phasing out of the franchise tax) that he himself signed into law in June of 2019 and were widely regarded by both Democrats and Republicans as useful tools that make Illinois a more competitive place to do business. And scholarships that offer underprivileged school children a chance at a quality education are certainly not Corporate Loopholes.”