Rep. David Olsen (R-Downers Grove) told his constituents via a letter on his website that he was disappointed in the Legislature for passing a new budget that raised taxes once again on Illinoisans.
The outcome could have been avoided if Democrats and Republicans could have worked together, Olsen wrote. Instead, residents will now pay a 4.95 percent tax on their personal incomes instead of 3.75 percent and corporations will pay 7 percent instead of 5.25 percent.
“I am deeply disappointed that rather than seeking a broad, bipartisan consensus on a balanced budget with reforms, (House) Speaker (Michael) Madigan (D-Chicago) and the majority Democrats chose to walk away from productive negotiations with Republicans which were nearing agreement at the end of June,” Olsen said in his statement.
He said that it is widely understood that Illinois' problems won't get fixed without significant reforms.
“The vast majority of Republicans and Democrats recognized that our state needs the stability of a balanced budget with reforms – which must include significant structural reforms, spending cuts, and revenue," he posted. "Unfortunately, I do not believe that the package that resulted from ... override votes achieves that stability."
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