The Democratic supermajority broke their own House Rules during the final hours of session when they allowed lawmakers to vote three times on one piece of legislation to raise taxes. The bill passed on the third vote after failing twice before.

However, House Rules only allow for two votes. According to Rule 72, if legislation on concurrence fails to pass the second time, the bill cannot be called again for another vote. Unless, of course you are in the supermajority. By allowing a third vote, Democratic leaders were able to convince several of their own to change their votes. So, in an overnight session, the tax hike measure passed at 4:30 in the morning, on the third try.

BUDGET
Pritzker signs largest budget in state history; $53.1 billion spending plan includes tax hikes, politician pay raises and a billion dollars for non-citizens. On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a partisan $53.1 billion spending plan, the largest budget in state history. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget is a whopping $2.6 billion more than last year’s enacted budget and includes pay raises for politicians and a staggering $1 billion for non-citizens. Moreover, Democrats voted for $1 billion in tax hikes to pay for their record-breaking spending.

National Doughnut, or Donut, Day is celebrated every year on the first Friday in June. This tradition started in 1938 in Chicago as a tribute to the Salvation Army’s ‘Doughnut Lassies’ that aided soldiers during World War I. 

In addition to honoring the women who provided doughnuts and coffee to U.S. soldiers fighting in France, National Doughnut Day began as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army in Chicago. These efforts would help the poor and those in need during the Great Depression of that era. 

On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of German-occupied Normandy, France in the largest amphibious assault in world history, now known as “D-Day.”

Codenamed “Operation Overlord,” Allied forces coordinated for months to create a plan on how to break through the Nazi entrenchment known as the Atlantic Wall, a line of defenses that spanned across France and all the way up to the northernmost point of Norway. Allied forces kept the plans secret and went as far to create a fake invasion plan titled “Operation Bodyguard” in order to mislead Nazi forces on where they would land. The United States and her allies intended to land on five different positions of Normandy’s coast, labeled Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

The economy and job growth continues to be a top priority for House Republican lawmakers as we fight to keep employers from leaving Illinois. In addition to easing burdensome government regulations and tax hikes, employers are also in need of a qualified and highly trained workforce. Investing in employee development and training is a key element in providing the type of workforce needed to keep high-paying jobs in the state and grow Illinois' economy. However, the investments must be made in the right assets to achieve the highest return for Illinoisans.

 

Legislation co-sponsored by Illinois State Representative Nicole La Ha ensuring all children with disabilities receive the support and resources they need to thrive academically now awaits the Governor's signature.

When enacted, Senate Bill 3606 will create a fair reimbursement rate for special education day schools. The bill addresses tuition payment adjustments for children placed in separate public special education day schools. It adjusts state reimbursement rates going to public schools for high cost, high need, special education students. Currently, only public schools sending high need special education individuals to private special education schools get any reimbursement. With the passage of SB 3606, all school districts will be eligible for state reimbursement.

State Representative Amy Elik's legislation to improve government transparency and make it easier for taxpayers to find information about proposed property tax increases now awaits the Governor's signature. 

Senate Bill 3567, introduced by Senator Erica Harriss and sponsored in the House by Elik, expands provisions in the Truth in Taxation Act. The legislation requires local governments proposing to raise their tax levy by more than five percent to post a notice announcing the increase in a prominent location on their website homepage. Additionally, the notice must be posted for a minimum of 30 consecutive days.