Pritzker knocks state progressives’ ability to pass new tax measures

By Sean Reed | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ruled out the passage of many new tax proposals from progressive lawmakers before the end of the legislative session next week in Springfield.

Democrat lawmakers behind the proposals claimed their initiatives would have raised more than $4 billion annually earlier this month.

Pritzker told members of the press Wednesday he’s not sure what new tax measures the legislature will pass, and he sees the current priority as delegating how to best spend the revenue the state will have.

“It’s just a matter of can the legislature get something on the ballot or move something forward and that’s apparently something they couldn’t do this last session or this session that we’re in,” Pritzker said. “[Progressives] have been working very hard on getting something done. It doesn’t appear that they’re able to get something done through the house or the Senate right now.”

Revenue forecasts from multiple state agencies were revised down last week, meaning the state now expects to bring in less funds from taxes in the coming year.

In April, an initiative with support from Pritzker to put a ballot measure before voters – which would impose higher taxes on residents earning more than $1 million per year – failed to receive needed support from members of the majority party to pass.

In a statement, State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, said Pritzker should have introduced a truly balanced budget that doesn’t rely on yet-to-exist tax increases. He also said state spending went up by 40% under the governor.

“The governor’s acknowledgement that his supermajority in the General Assembly appears unlikely to approve new and increased taxes in the upcoming FY27 budget is a win for taxpayers,” Sosnowski said in a statement.

On the House floor Wednesday, Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Louisville, claimed the legislature has not been productive enough in serving taxpayers over the past few weeks.

“We’re not doing anything to lower the burden of existence in this state for regular folks,” Wilhour said. “They need lower property taxes. They need a suspension of the Pritzker gas tax hike. Let’s just get rid of it. They need a break on their utility bills that shot through the roof.”

The Center Square contacted the Illinois Revenue Alliance, a coalition of organizations behind and supportive of the tax-increase proposals, but did not receive comment before publication.