The Caucus Blog of the Illinois House Republicans

After spending months promising to focus on affordability, Speaker Welch and House Democrats abandoned that pledge and instead passed $800 million in tax hikes as part of the largest budget in Illinois history.

During a City Club of Chicago event in January, Speaker Welch declared, "Everything is about affordability and that's going to be our focus." But Illinois families struggling with rising costs may find that hard to believe after Democrats approved a record-setting $55.9 billion state budget packed with new taxes, spending, and political giveaways.