SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to create a burden on everyone.
So, in his annual State of the State and Budget address Wednesday afternoon, Pritzker proposed some forms of relief — especially when it comes to grocery store costs.
“We can afford to suspend the state tax on groceries in the coming year, and have the state make up any lost revenue to local governments, so we can bring some relief to families at the check-out counter,” Pritzker said Wednesday, at the Old State Capitol, where he gave the speech after lawmakers canceled sessions this week due to the weather.
That proposal alone, Pritzker’s office says, would be about $360 million in tax breaks. He’s calling for another $135 million by freezing the state’s gas tax, and almost $500 million in one-time property tax rebates.
“I propose immediate property tax relief funded by the state surplus. If we double the property tax deduction for Illinois homeowners, we can bring relief to nearly two million Illinois taxpayers,” said Pritzker.
Pritzker is calling for up to $300 in one-time property tax rebates to homeowners. He also wants local taxing bodies to look at how they deal with property taxes.
“It’s time for every local taxing district to take a long hard look at reducing the burden of high property taxes they impose on their local residents,” said Pritzker.
Pritzker calls local property taxes “an unsustainable burden,” and says local governments have received a large influx of cash in the past year from federal and state sources.
And what about that “surplus” the Governor mentioned? The Governor took a victory lap on that, in an election year.
“…that $3.2 billion structural deficit? Well today I’m pleased to announce Illinois will end this fiscal year with a $1.7 billion surplus, the first of its kind in more than 25 years,” said Pritzker.
Pritzker says “hard work” and “discipline,” and “a fundamental change in how the State conducts his business” are the reasons.
He says the state’s general fund bill backlog, one allegedly reaching more than 500 days, now only averages about 15 days.
Pritzker Wednesday mentioned a Peoria lawmaker’s initiative, in proposing something similar to help the health care industry.
“Our healthcare institutions and healthcare workers need help. That’s why this proposed budget creates the Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce – or PATH – program,” said Pritzker. “The goal is to model this program after the highly successful Workforce Equity Initiative championed by State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth.”
Pritzker is calling for $25 million to be given to community colleges to provide training for new frontline workers and remove what he calls barriers toward that training and recruitment.
And, speaking of healthcare, Pritzker used his first in-person State of the State address since the COVID-19 pandemic began, to once again talk about that pandemic and its continued burden on health care workers.
“I know that as you have watched your hospitals fill with patients once again these last two months – that there is a small but persistent voice inside of you asking you how much more you can take,” said Pritzker. “I wish I could lift this burden from you. I wish it with all my heart.”
Pritzker says short of being able to do that, he has one simple message: he hears them, and everyone in the state sees them, and everyone in the state is thankful for them.
CLICK HERE to read the full state budget proposal (.pdf document).
