Will County Gazette

Patrick Sheehan, Illinois State Representative, said that the state budget raises taxes on working families and argued that Illinois requires responsible fiscal management instead of new taxes. The statement was made on X.

"Democrats keep claiming to care about working people, but if you look at this budget, it's clear they are completely out of touch with the middle class," said Sheehan, State Representative from Illinois. "Responsible budgeting is the solution rather than placing more taxes onto the backs of the working class in Illinois."

Illinois has passed a record $55.2 billion budget for 2025, which includes over $1 billion in new taxes on businesses, tobacco, betting, and telecommunications. Critics warn these changes could disproportionately affect the middle class and working families, as reported by ABC7 Chicago and AP News.

According to WTTW News, the current Illinois budget features $700 million in recurring new taxes and over $500 million in one-time revenues. This results in increased costs for items such as sports betting and nicotine products while also allowing cities to impose up to a 1% grocery tax by 2026.

Business Insider reports that Illinois holds the third-highest state and local tax burden in the country. Middle-class earners pay approximately 12.6% of their income in taxes, which is significantly higher than the U.S. average and has increased from previous years.

According to the Illinois General Assembly and Ballotpedia, Patrick Sheehan is a Republican State Representative for District 37. He was appointed in April 2024 and previously served as a Lockport alderman and police officer. His focus areas include public safety, education, and fiscal policy.