Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) is criticizing Illinois Democrats for passing a budget "in the middle of the night" and believes that the budget uses federal relief dollars to make the state appear to be in a better financial position than it actually is.

The Illinois legislature passed the Fiscal Year 2023 budget early in the morning on April 9, WIFR reported. The Senate passed the $46.5 billion budget by a vote of 34-19, and the House passed it by a vote of 72-42. 

"Just 3 days ago I predicted to my constituents that this budget would yet again be passed in the middle of the night while the public was sleeping," Grant said, according to a press release from her office. "Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, those predictions turned out to be accurate. 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 provide lasting, long-term relief to Illinois families. They’re touting this budget as a triumph of good management when in reality it’s entirely temporary – the direct result of a massive federal bailout and an inflation-induced sugar high. 

"Our constituents, our taxpayers, are on to these budget games and Democrats will feel the full measure of their frustration because of this irresponsible budget and because of the dismissive attitude Democrats have displayed," Grant said.

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

Grant's fellow Republicans have also been critical of the budget.

"This budget includes $1.6 billion in pork projects in Democrat-only legislative districts," state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer said, according to WAND. "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."