South West Illinois News

Republican State Rep. Dave Severin had strong words against the proposed budget that was recently passed in the House, taking to Facebook to voice his concerns.

“I cannot support a budget built on tax hikes on middle-class working families already struggling to afford food, medicine, and fuel,” Severin said. “We need permanent tax relief. This budget actually guarantees future tax increases. I voted no.”

In his Facebook post, Rep. Severin shared a link to an expanded press release about his reaction to the budget. He said: "Food, fuel, and medical costs are out of control in this environment of Biden inflation,"

Severin said. "I came to Springfield to work in good faith, to cut taxes for working families, and to pass a balanced budget that supports critical services while holding firm on stopping the growth of government. This budget expands government in ways that we will not be able to afford to go into the future and sets Illinoisans up for guaranteed tax increases later on.” 

Severin pointed out the issue of Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants as a major point of contention. "Democrats voted for more money for illegal immigrants, less money for individuals working to serve the developmentally disabled, more money for taxpayer-funded abortions, and a pay raise for themselves," 

Severin added, ”If that isn't bad enough, Democrats in the House and Senate also gave the governor unprecedented power to manage Medicaid to provide illegal immigrants health insurance using administrative rulemaking and issuing executive orders. Illinoisans have had enough of being ruled by executive order. I voted no.”

On May 25 the Senate approved the $50.6 billion budget which was later approved in the House with only Democrats voting in favor. A report by ABC7 quotes Senate Republican Leader John F. Curran, saying “A few Senate Republican priorities - really some joint priorities - are reflected in this budget. However, what matters to the people of Illinois is not the process, but the product. As you will see by the uniform 'no' votes from our caucus, this final product does not reflect the entire state of Illinois.”

Bloomberg reported that the budget pitched in February by Gov. J.B. Pritzker was about $49 billion. This was less than the previous fiscal year.

Illinois residents can review the budget at budget.illinois.gov.