Will County Gazette

Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) has criticized the fiscal year 2023 budget for failing to provide permanent tax relief.

"The Governor plans to sign the FY23 budget today. Let's not forget that Democrats' temporary election-year 'relief' plan does nothing to address the increasing burdens of record-high inflation on our residents," Haas posted on Facebook April 19. "Illinois families need lasting tax relief to recover and grow in Illinois."  

With inflation at a 40-year high, Illinois businesses have been forced to raise prices, Advantage News reported. While many businesses might increase wages by 6% or 7%, employees still face losses of 2% to 3% because of increased costs. Rent in Illinois has gone up by more than 5% this year, gas prices have increased by 43%, and the price of a new car has increased by more than 12%.

The fiscal year 2023 budget calls for freezing Illinois' motor fuel tax at 39 cents per gallon and suspending Illinois' 1% sales tax on groceries, according to NBC5. The budget also includes property tax rebates of up to $300 per household. Illinois Democrats have praised the budget "for its impacts on taxpayers and its commitment to remaining balanced."

Gov. Pritzker signed the $46 billion budget on April 19. The budget includes $12 billion for education spending and $10 billion for the state's pension fund. The budget also includes temporary tax relief measures totaling $1.8 billion.