Representative Norine Hammond has in-depth experience in appropriations and public policy. She has successfully passed legislation to tackle the teacher shortage, keep Illinois students attending Illinois universities, fairly fund public K-12 education, and protect our seniors and most vulnerable citizens. Hammond has been a strong advocate for procurement reform and other cost-cutting measures which keep dollars focused on strategic goals instead of overhead and administrative costs.
“The House Republican Caucus wants to make it perfectly clear that we will not negotiate a budget that includes any tax increases,” said Hammond. “State government desperately needs structural reforms and to learn to live within its means. If history serves us correctly, the Democratic supermajority will continue to craft a budget alone, continue to increase wasteful spending, and absolutely continue to raise taxes on hardworking Illinois families and businesses.”
Representative Amy Elik has spent her thirty-year career as a Certified Public Accountant and auditor and brings a sharp eye and attention to detail to budget negotiations. Elik has been a strong voice for reining in wasteful spending.
“I’m a CPA and am used to making difficult decisions to craft a budget that is rooted in reality,” said Elik. “Fuzzy math is not fiscal responsibility. Our communities are screaming out for tax relief, it’s hard for young families to afford homes, daycare, and utilities, and the budget that comes out of the 104th General Assembly cannot include a tax increase.”
Rep. Elik was a member of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability and serves as Spokesperson for the General Services Appropriations Committee and Elementary/Secondary Education: Education Policy Committee.
As the deadline to pass a budget approaches, Hammond and Elik have made clear that Republicans will not support any budget that includes a tax increase to pay for the Democrats’ spending spree.