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Area Republican legislators are not finding anything good to say about the state budget passed just before the deadline at midnight Saturday night.

The $55 billion budget relies on over $ 1 million in new taxes and revenue changes, including the implementation of a sports betting tax and a rise in cigarette taxes from 36 to 45 percent.  Vape products and nicotine pouches will now be taxed along with cigarettes.

State Representative Blaine Wilhour says the budget is rooted in fantasy and fraud and puts everyone ahead of Illinois families.

“We rammed through the most bloated, progressive, physically reckless agenda in modern state history.  You know what destroys a state and destroys families?  A crushing property tax bill that eats up half of your home mortgage, a regulatory environment so heavy that all the good jobs leave.  The Democrats love to talk about the middle class.  But what do they get in Illinois?  Higher taxes, higher utility bills, DEI [Diversity, Equity, Inclusion].”

State Representative Charlie Meier says, unfortunately, the majority of Democrats also took care of themselves.

“Once again, they increased the budget; they don’t seem to worry about the taxpayer, they give all the representatives raises we don’t deserve.   I know I give mine away, but they keep giving themselves more.  We have real problems in the State of Illinois, but they don’t seem to want to solve the problems, they just want to tax and spend.”

State Senator Jason Plummer called the budget the largest and most reckless in state history and came with no transparency, no serious debate, and no concern for the taxpayers stuck paying for it.  He said this is not leadership, this is political cowardice and corruption at its worst.  Plummer says he will not be silent while one party loots the state to feed its political machine.

The budget meets the $350-million additional funding for the state’s K-12 education system, decreases Community College Board funding by $ 24 million because of reduced spending on a workforce development grant, and sees at least a 1-percent increase in university funding.  The legislature once again failed to tackle pension reform.  A controversial program that provides health insurance to more than 30,000 noncitizens between the ages of 42 and 64 was cut.  There is no funding for a new Chicago Bears stadium.