To the Editor:
This is one of the most partisan budgets I have witnessed in the legislature.
This budget includes $1 billion is capital projects for Democrat districts only, including a pay raise for lawmakers. I will donate this pay raise to local non-profits as I have done previously. Year after year the Democrat-controlled General Assembly adopts a state budget that is unsustainable. Illinois is fortunate to have revenue growth, however, the politicians in charge continue to spend every penny without paying past debt.
As we continue to move forward and reopen following the start of the pandemic last year, the State of Illinois must restore fiscal responsibility to the state budget before it’s too late.
State Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville)
Another GOP lawmaker:
The late-night antics continue in the Illinois legislature as the Democrats rushed through a state budget with less than 24-hour notice. The state budget spends billions without a plan to pay off debt. I am very disappointed this budget includes a pay raise for lawmakers and one billion in pork projects for Democrat districts.
The makeup of the General Assembly is different today than it was in the past, unfortunately, the same spending schemes continue. I voted no on this budget because it makes promises the State of Illinois can’t afford to keep.
State Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton)