(Editor's note: This article was published first at Wirepoints)
Will the shiny objects in Illinois’ new budget bedazzle voters as intended? Here are some initial thoughts.
This year, the vote buying has become so obvious that voters might not be fooled. Here are the goodies, compliments of incumbent lawmakers:
Under the state’s new budget, its 1% sales tax on groceries will be suspended for the fiscal year. An automatic 2-cent increase to the state’s motor fuel tax, set to jump with the new fiscal year on July 1, will be delayed until year-end. The existing property tax credit will be expanded to allow for rebate checks up to $300 for homeowners. The state’s earned income tax credit will increase and eligibility for the program will be expanded.
But just for good measure, as the session was nearing its end, lawmakers decided just to send out checks to 90% of Illinoisans. Adults will get $50 checks, with an additional $100 for up to three dependent children. Only Illinoisans who earn more than $200,000 or $400,000 for joint tax filers will be ineligible.
What’s this all about? Reporter Mary Ann Ahern was as superbly succinct, tweeting “Election year + Covid $ = ” as a caption on NBC Chicago’s summary of the budget. Apologies to her for filching that in our headline.
Even a couple columnists who are normally apologists for Illinois Democrats had to call this what it is – “an election year budget.” Both Shia Kapos at Politico and Rich Miller of Capitol Fax called it that.
Then there’s Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who is up for reelection in February. She recently announced that the city will be giving away 5,000 free bicycles, helmets and locks. Cash assistance to buy home security cameras is also on its way. She has now further proposed giving away $150 gas cards to motorists and $50 mass transit cards.
Is all this really any different from the vote buying Willie Wilson is widely accused of? He’s a candidate for mayor and recently gave away a million bucks worth of free gasoline. That may be more blatant than what state lawmakers and Lightfoot are doing, but at least he used his own money, not the public’s money. And he didn’t cause the problems that require relief, unlike the state and Chicago.
Let’s hope voters have the sense to see what’s going on. Let’s ask incumbent lawmakers gloating about the new budget this question: If Illinois is now truly producing budget surpluses as you claim, why are so many of the goodies you are handing out only for this election year?