Chambana Sun

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) walked away from hearing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget address thoroughly convinced that Springfield has become its own worst enemy.  

“I think we’re just going to see a continued emphasis on passing his progressive income tax, which is extremely detrimental to all of us,” Halbrook told the Chambana Sun. “I think once they get the constitution changed, it will be real easy for the majority in the General Assembly to lower the margins and increase the tax rates.”

During his speech, Pritzker laid out two possible scenarios for the state going forward, one of which included his preferred option of linking a funding increase for public schools and a pension payment boost to voters approving his graduated-rate income tax plan.

Halbrook quickly branded it all more of the same “tax-and-spend” policies that continue to drive Illinois deeper into debt and leave more of his 102nd District residents feeling isolated.

“There was nothing in the governor’s speech to give downstate residents any hope that he is going to stop attacking our values and our way of life,” he added in a statement. “In fact, just the opposite. The governor wants to preach unity, but his actions tell a much different story. He is going to continue to double down on his extreme, liberal agenda and continue to divide Chicago and downstate Illinois.”

Halbrook added it’s almost what he’s come to expect during Pritzker’s time in power.  

“It is clear our point of view matters little to this governor,” he said. “His budget is just the same as the record $40 billion spending plan he signed last year except the new budget sets a new record by adding another $2.2 billion in spending and he’s relying on his graduated income tax increase scheme to pay for it. What we heard today is just a continuation of the Democrats’ tax and spend philosophy that created this mess in the first place.”