Inside:
- Largest state budget in Illinois history passes at 4 a.m.
- Bears stadium bill does not advance, gas tax hike suspended
- Credit card law paused for a year, social media tax enacted
- Resolutions calling for support for veterans
Largest state budget in Illinois history passes at 4 a.m.
In the pre-dawn hours of Monday morning, House and Senate Democrats rammed through the largest state budget in Illinois history. The bill passed the House just after 4 a.m.
Once again, Illinois Democrats presented the text of a 3700-page budget and only provided legislators and the public a short time to review it before it was voted upon. Even though revenue is tight, this budget actually spends more money than last year: $55.9 billion. It required $800 million in tax increases to come up with the money for all the additional spending, which includes an automatic pay raise for politicians.
I voted No because this is an unsustainable path. Illinois must stop the cycle of taxing and spending, and return to fiscal responsibility and living within our means.
Bears stadium bill does not advance, gas tax hike suspended
The bill to help build a new suburban stadium for the Chicago Bears did not advance before adjournment.
I opposed a stadium bill, also known as the “megaprojects” bill back in April because it did not offer property tax relief to everyday Illinoisans. That bill failed to move in the Senate. Despite negotiations all through May, the megaprojects bill did not get a vote on the Senate side. On the last night of session, a new idea emerged which would scale back the bill and allow some local governments to build a stadium and lease it to the Bears. This bill passed the Senate just after midnight, but it was not brought up for a vote in the House. It is unclear where things will go from here.
Many House Republicans called for suspending the state’s sales tax on gasoline to help with the rising costs we are all paying for gas. The state charges a gas tax and then charges a sales tax on top of the combined amount of the gasoline and the gas tax. But instead of taking up our idea, the only relief at the pump which is offered to Illinois drivers is a six-month suspension of the scheduled increase in the gas tax, which would have gone up by 1.3 cents on July 1. That increase will be delayed until January 1.
Credit card law paused for a year, social media tax enacted
A credit card law which would have gone into effect on July 1 has been delayed for a year to let a series of lawsuits and federal government actions work themselves out.
The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act was rushed through the General Assembly a few years ago in another late-night budget vote. It has since been a source of enormous controversy, as it has the potential to drastically affect the way consumers put taxes and tips on their credit cards.
The law has been challenged in court and has been the subject of an action by a federal agency which has questions about whether it fell under the state’s jurisdiction. In order to give these issues time to be resolved, the enactment date of the law has been suspended for a year.
In all, the budget included around $800 million in new taxes so that Democrats can cover all the new spending. One of these taxes is a failed idea borrowed from the mayor of Chicago, a $200 million social media tax. This is just another tax that will be passed onto consumers.
Like the digital advertising tax which will disproportionately affect individuals and small businesses who rely on digital advertising, this tax increase will harm everyday Illinoisans much more than it will affect big tech companies.
Resolutions calling for support for veterans
During the last week of session, the House adopted two resolutions I sponsored which called on the federal government to do more in support of our veterans.
House Resolution 722 calls on Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act, which would allow medically-retired service members to receive full access to their much-deserved retirement and pay benefits. Major Star was an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who received a diagnosis of lung cancer due to his exposure to burn pits during his service. He was forced to retire before completing 20 years of service and was therefore unable to collect his retirement and disability benefits. This resolution encourages Congress to pass legislation which would right that wrong.
House Resolution 868 urges Congress to award the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to the U.S. veterans who were in Honduras from 1981 to 1992 for their service and sacrifices. This recognition would honor the service of American military personnel who served in a dangerous place, oftentimes under fire, while helping stop the spread of Communist expansion close to our borders during the Cold War.
Both resolutions were adopted.
Mason Vancil visits Illinois House as Page for a Day
Mason Vancil, a second grader at West Central Elementary School near Monmouth, spent the day last Friday with the Illinois House of Representatives where he was a Page for a Day. Mason was a joy to have with us in the chamber as we worked through some of the longest and most tense days on the House floor.
Mason enjoys reading, swimming, fishing, playing with his friends and going to the park with his brother. He plays baseball and this spring he helped his mom plant the family’s garden. Following his visit to Springfield, Mason told me he was looking forward to a family visit to St. Louis to cheer on the Cubs against the Cardinals.
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