Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois state Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) is pointing out holes in Gov. JB Pritzker's newly enacted $50.6 billion state budget.

In a recent news release from Grant's office, Grant noted the so-called 'balanced' budget, that officially went into effect on July 1, includes more tax increases along with the expiration of the one-year sales tax holiday for groceries and nonrenewal of the back-to-school sales tax holiday.

"The impacts of the tax hikes will be felt by all Illinois families, with the expiration of the gas and grocery tax holiday alone costing residents already dealing with out-of-control inflation over $400 million," Grant said in the release. "Numerous Republican proposals to offer sales tax relief on gasoline were not taken up by the Democratic supermajority this spring. The sunset of the back-to-school tax relief will hit the taxpayers for $30 million more. Clearly, the support Illinois families were given was, once again, an election-year cycle carrot dangled by the Democrats."

In the release, Grant estimated that the expiration of the two taxes will cost families across the state more than $400 million. She also said that GOP lawmakers offered up several proposals designed to offer Illinois residents tax relief on gasoline, but those offers were never seriously considered by the Democratic supermajority.

Grant added that the increased taxes could have crippling effects on families that already find themselves struggling with a spiraling economy and carrying heavy credit card debt—all while the federal government considers raising interest rates again, possibly as soon as next month.

"Democratic lawmakers and Gov. JB Pritzker have boasted about passing another 'balanced' budget, but the budget's impact on hard-working families is nothing to celebrate at all," she said in the release. "With inflation, continued tax hikes, and gimmicks, Illinois residents will continue to be negatively impacted financially with no relief in sight."