SPRINGFIELD, IL… State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) issued the following statement following the passage of the $53.1 billion State budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which begins on July 1, 2024.
“Today, the largest budget in Illinois history passed the House with partisan votes. I voted no on the budget because I cannot support a budget that prioritizes pay raises for lawmakers while increasing the tax burden on Illinoisans. The budget outlines a five percent pay raise for lawmakers, approximately $1 billion in taxpayer funds for noncitizens, and nearly $1 billion in tax hikes, but does not include property tax relief or incentives for businesses to come or stay in Illinois. Within the budget, four times the amount of money allocated to the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is set to be spent on noncitizens. It is our responsibility as lawmakers and leaders of the state to take care of our Illinois citizens first, especially veterans. A lack of fiscal responsibility and misplaced spending priorities leave out hardworking, middle-class Illinoisans.”