Kankakee Times

Gov. Pritzker should be prevented from placing a heavier burden on the backs of the middle class with his unbalanced budget, State Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) commented after hearing the governor’s FY2022 budget plan.

“We should focus on retaining businesses and residents instead of encouraging them to flee our state,” she said. “Local and small businesses simply cannot take any more. How can we help them keep their doors open, let alone recruit new businesses to our state if the governor can’t even balance the books?”

The governor has proposed eliminating a number of tax incentives that are currently being given to businesses to help them recover or at least keep their company running and prevent permanent shutdown or employment furloughs.

“His plan to hit small businesses with a $900 million tax increase under the guise of “closing loopholes” as they struggle to get back on their feet will only cause more job losses for Illinois families at a time when we’re already hurting,” Haas said.

The governor said in his State of the State and Budget Address that “this will be one of the most challenging budgets this government has ever had to craft, but I know there are willing partners in the General Assembly.”