McHenry Times

Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake) resorted to humor at a press conference last Tuesday, May 21 when discussing a bevy of eye-opening tax increases proposed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the most jarring being a gas tax bill that includes an electric vehicle (EV)-registration fee hike from $17.50 to $1,000 that's become a national punchline. 

"When I saw the fee structure for the gas tax, I was electrified," Skillicorn said at the press conference. "It charged me up."

But for the most part, Skillicorn's tone and message were serious.

State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Robinson)

"This is an over-$40 billion tax hike — the biggest Illinois has ever seen," he said. "Everyone in Illinois lives one and a half hours or less from a state border and Illinoisans are fleeing the state. This type of thing will shutter industries."

Skillicorn said that, overall, Pritzker's proposed tax increases also include a 231-percent increase on the gas tax; a car-registration fee increase from $101 to $199; a 1-percent increase on tobacco; a ridesharing tax of $1 per ride, a 7-percent cable, satellite and streaming tax; an increase from 23.1 cents to 27.7 cents for the beer tax, an increase from $1.39 to $2.05 for the wine tax; a liquor tax increase from $8.55 to $12.60; and a parking tax increase of 6 percent daily and 9 percent monthly.

“Illinois managed to bring in $1.5 billion more in tax revenue and the increased revenue is expected to continue in the next fiscal year thanks to the economic boost of Trump’s tax cuts, but we are still not even growing at the same rate as the rest of country," Skillicorn said. "The windfall benefits of the national economy won’t continue forever and Moody’s just reported we cannot withstand a recession."

Getting back to the EV-registration fee hike, Skillicorn brought up a startup electric truck and SUV-maker with big plans in the state when other businesses are leaving in droves.

"Rivian is a perfect example of a company that wants to invest in Illinois, but their plans for a $400-million investment in Normal could be severely damaged if these oppressive fees from Springfield are implemented," Skillicorn said.

Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) said that the fiscal situation in Illinois is the result of a spending problem, not a revenue problem.

"We have got to stop this," Bailey said. "Difficult work comes when we prioritize and hold the government accountable. Things get tight and we back off and secure the position and continue to grow again. Illinois continues to waiver away from that. I will continue to fight for no new taxes. One business is flourishing: the U-Haul business because everyone is fleeing Illinois."

Rep. Chris Miller (R-Robinson) said raising taxes is simply a non-solution.

"This is a non-starter for me," Miller said. "A lot of these regressive taxes have had severe consequences to our districts. I am against any new tax. We have a spending problem and we need to quit spending money on illegals that don’t have a right to be here."