Chicago City Wire

Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Chicago) is criticizing Democrats for passing temporary tax relief in the fiscal year 2023 budget while Illinoisans shoulder the largest tax burden in the country.

"After decades of reckless state spending, Democrats are now patting themselves on the back for temporary tax relief, all while struggling Illinois families continue to pay the highest effective tax rates in the nation," Stephens posted on Facebook April 13. "Illinois needs responsible fiscal leadership, not election-year gimmicks."

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. The budget allocates $8.8 billion for Human Services, $12 billion for education spending, $2.2 billion for public safety, and $1 billion for the state's rainy day fund. 

"The truth is this budget was less open, less transparent, and less inclusive than any budget process in decades," Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said. "This is the most obvious election-year budget I have ever seen. The people of Illinois should not be fooled, and the Democrats in the Capitol should be ashamed."

In 2019, Gov. Pritzker doubled Illinois' gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents while also instituting an annual gas tax increase. A provision in the state budget will postpone this year's scheduled gas tax increase of 2.2 cents from July to January. Gas stations are now required to put stickers on their gas pumps that will explain the postponement. If retailers refuse to put on the stickers, they can be fined $500 per day. 

Josh Sharp of the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association said, "This industry won't be forced into offering free election year advertising for the Governor." Sharp said, "Ordering businesses to take part in speech that is compelled by the government under the threat of fines and criminal penalties is unwise and unconstitutional."

The budget will also suspend Illinois' 1% grocery tax for a year, and grocery stores will also be required to notify customers of the change. They can choose to do so either through signage or by printing a message on shoppers' receipts, WMIX reported.

A recent WalletHub report found that Illinoisans shoulder the highest tax burden in the nation, Illinois Policy reported. Every year, on average, an Illinois household pays $9,488 in taxes, and compared to the national average, this is almost 39% more.