SPRINGFIELD (Feb. 18, 2015) – Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman released the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget address, delivered today:
“In November, Gov. Bruce Rauner was elected on a mandate of change. The budget address he issued today is encouraging, and signals he is willing to heed that call and make tough decisions for the state. For the first time in many years, this budget places the interests of family budgets on an equal footing with those who directly benefit from state spending.
“There is no shortage of politicians in Springfield who think the solution to Illinois’ perpetual budget crises is to continue raising taxes. The best evidence for why higher taxes won’t solve Illinois’ problems are the past four years: When Democrats raised the state income tax in 2011, they said the additional tax money would ‘pay down Illinois’ backlog of bills, stabilize the state’s pension crisis and strengthen its economy.’ Back in 2011, the state’s backlog of bills was $8.5 billion. But after collecting more than $31 billion in higher taxes, Illinois still has approximately $5 billion in unpaid bills, more than $111 billion in pension debt and the weakest economy in the nation. The evidence is clear: More taxes are not the solution to Illinois’ financial problems.
“Critics will cite the spending cuts, but this budget focuses spending on the most essential services the state should provide and thus protects massive cuts to taxpayer budgets at home due to higher taxes. As taxpayers, we give our government a portion of our hard-earned money in hopes of politicians using it to make Illinois a better place to live. This year, government needs to do the best it can with the resources it has – this budget does that.
“Illinois taxpayers elected Gov. Rauner because they were tired of politicians raiding their wallets to pay for government’s financial recklessness. They were tired of not having a job to go to, and paying the second-highest property taxes in the nation while not having good schools to show for it. They selected Gov. Rauner because they sought a dramatic shift in the way Illinois government had been run.
“The spending reform proposed in this budget is the necessary step Illinois must take in order to become a better place for all. All facets of government in Illinois must tighten their belts in order to secure a brighter future for all Illinoisans.”
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