Tax Day may be Democrats’ favorite day, but for Illinois families, it is another reminder of how much they are being squeezed.

While working families are tightening their belts and trying to make ends meet, Governor Pritzker and House Democrats are piling on more tax hikes this legislative session. As Governor Pritzker looks for ways to pay for a budget that spends $1 billion more than last year, House Democrats have filed a number of new taxes on families and businesses, including:

• HB 4459 – Campfire Tax
• HB 5112 – Bag Tax
• HB 4414 – Ammo Tax
• HB 2996 – Cell Tower Tax
• HB 4894 – Digital Ad Tax

And that is all on top of the crushing tax burden Illinois families and businesses already face. Illinois homeowners pay the highest property taxes in the country, and WalletHub says Illinois has the highest overall tax rates in the nation.

During an appearance this week on the Mike Nellis podcast, Governor Pritzker attempted to paint himself as an opponent of gerrymandering and a champion for lowering costs. But Illinois families know better, and his record tells the real story.

In an interview with Politico, House Speaker Chris Welch once again tried to blame Washington for Illinois’ fiscal failures instead of taking responsibility for the Democrat policies that have made our state’s outlook worse.

If Speaker Welch wants to know why Illinois is facing budget trouble, he doesn’t need to look any further than his and his own party’s voting records in Springfield. Governor Pritzker has proposed yet another record-setting state budget at $56 billion, after signing a $55 billion budget last year that included more than $700 million in new taxes and fees.

Nearly 55% of Illinois voters support the state opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program and more than 29 counties held ballot referenda supporting opt-in in Illinois' March Primary Election. But it’s up to Gov. JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the program. Only about one in five oppose him doing so.

More than half of Illinois voters support the state opting into a federal program to let donors help students find extra academic help, according to a new poll.