How Much Longer Will Governor Pritzker Lie About His Record On Affordability?

This week on the I’ve Had It podcast, Governor JB Pritzker once again claimed he is fighting to lower taxes for working and middle-class families. Illinois families know that claim simply does not match reality.

Just last year, Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly passed the largest budget in state history, totaling more than $55 billion and including roughly $700 million in new taxes. 

According to the Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois is now taking $1,434 more in taxes from each resident than before Governor Pritzker took office. Compared to his first year in 2019, the state is collecting $18 billion more from taxpayers, an increase of 51 percent that far outpaces inflation.

And if that were not enough, Governor Pritzker has doubled down on unreliable green energy policies that are driving utility costs even higher. Earlier this year, he signed a green energy giveaway projected to saddle Illinois families with an estimated $8 billion rate hike.

So how can the Governor claim he is lowering costs for the middle class when Illinois ranks:

• #1 for highest property taxes
• #1 for highest combined state and local taxes
• #1 for highest cell phone taxes

Last year, WalletHub even ranked Illinois as the worst state in the nation for taxpayers because of its excessive tax burden.

So, despite the repeated claims from Governor Pritzker, the math just does not add up.

But while the Governor and Democrats continue to raise taxes on hardworking families, House Republicans are offering real solutions. For example, Representative Ryan Spain has filed House Bill 1383 to allow Illinois taxpayers to deduct tip income from their state taxable income, reducing the state tax on tips.