THE FOLLOWING IS AN OFFICE OF ILLINOIS HOUSE REPUBLICANS RELEASE
Democrats in the General Assembly voted to implement at $53.1 billion spending plan early Wednesday morning, passing the overreaching state budget without Republican support. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget is a whopping $2.6-billion more than last year’s enacted budget and includes pay raises for politicians and a staggering $1-billion for non-citizens.
The 3,000 page budget also includes a billion dollars in tax hikes at a time when working individuals and families are dealing with record prices for all kinds of goods and services. These tax increase include, but are not limited to:
- $526-million increase due to a change in net operating losses for businesses
- $101-million increase in the capped retailers’ discount
- $200-million increase in the sports wagering tax
The following are comments from State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville). In his comments, the representative talked about the lack of dollars for veterans affairs.
THE FOLLOWING RELEASE IS FROM STATE REP BRANDUN SCHWEIZER’S OFFICE
Rep. Schweizer Votes No on FY 25 Budget Due to Pay and Tax Hikes
SPRINGFIELD, IL… State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) issued the following statement following the passage of the $53.1 billion State budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which begins on July 1, 2024.
“Today, the largest budget in Illinois history passed the House with partisan votes. I voted no on the budget because I cannot support a budget that prioritizes pay raises for lawmakers while increasing the tax burden on Illinoisans. The budget outlines a five percent pay raise for lawmakers, approximately $1 billion in taxpayer funds for noncitizens, and nearly $1 billion in tax hikes, but does not include property tax relief or incentives for businesses to come or stay in Illinois. Within the budget, four times the amount of money allocated to the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is set to be spent on noncitizens. It is our responsibility as lawmakers and leaders of the state to take care of our Illinois citizens first, especially veterans. A lack of fiscal responsibility and misplaced spending priorities leave out hardworking, middle-class Illinoisans.”
