Chambana Sun

In a Feb. 16 news release, Rep. Chris Miller (R-Robinson) responded to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's State of the State and Budget address.

“Illinoisans should note, excessive taxes, regulation and spending has never in history led to more prosperity and that’s entirely what Gov. Pritzker asked for and Democrats applauded in today’s budget address,” Miller said in a press release on his official website.

Miller said Pritzker's budget will lead to higher taxes. 

“Gov. Pritzker took credit for cleaning up 20 years of Democrat unbalanced budgets using federal COVID relief funds," Miller said. "He then proposed billions in more spending while our neighboring states, at the same time, are putting in permanent tax cuts. The Governor’s plan to spend more will lead to higher taxes and is not a winning strategy.”

In his address, Pritzker touted fiscal progress. 

 "What was once an Illinois with $17 billion in overdue bills is now an Illinois that pays its bills on time," Pritzker said. "What was once an Illinois that went years without a budget is now an Illinois that has passed four balanced budgets in a row. What was once a state with no cushion to protect it in an economic downturn is now an Illinois on track to have a $2.3 billion Rainy Day Fund."

Pritzker said the state's credit rating has improved and he listed the billions of dollars in debt that has been paid off.

Pritzker also pushed for the Smart Start Illinois pre-kindergarten program that would be available to every 3- and 4-year old in the state. He said the initiative would include childcare, pre-K, home visits and early intervention.

Chris Miller was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. His legislative experience includes serving on the International Trade & Commerce Committee.