McHenry Times

In the run-up to House and Senate passage of the state budget, Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles)  blasted Senate Democrats for largely ignoring Republicans' budget proposals.

DeWitte made his comments during an April 7 news conference at the Illinois Capitol Building.

"...we have attempted on a regular basis to engage with Senate Democrats across the aisle to no avail," DeWitte said. "They have our proposals. We were supposed to meet yesterday for the details of our proposal. Many of these pieces of legislation have already been filed. We have not been invited back. Yesterday's meeting was canceled abruptly, 10 minutes before it was supposed to start. And as of 2:40 this afternoon it has not been rescheduled." 

The senator went on to detail why he thought GOP members' budget proposals were superior to those presented by the Democrats. 

"Senate Bill 4164 ... would cut sales tax permanently on food and prescription drugs in the state. It would be a permanent reduction," DeWitte explained. "It would eliminate the 1% sales tax on food and prescription drugs, estimated to save taxpayers $434 million a year. Compared to the Democrats' current plan, which only suspends the tax on food only until after the election. Our Senate Bill 4161 makes senior income tax exemptions permanent, increasing the additional exemptions seniors receive on their Illinois income taxes from $1,000 to $2,000 per year. Those savings are $40 million per year compared to Democrats' plan to only provide a tax credit for half that amount temporarily."

"Senate Bill 4163, filed by Republicans, increases the property tax credit from 5% to 10%, doubling the current property tax income credit, saving taxpayers nearly $500 million a year on a permanent basis, compared to the Democrats' current plan to provide a one-time rebate check that happens to expire right after the election."

DeWitte went on to criticize Democrats' gas tax proposal which would prevent taxpayers from paying an additional two to three cents per gallon for only six months beginning July 1, 2022.

"Senate Republicans have a plan that is backed by the fuel and retail industry, is revenue neutral, and immediately saves taxpayers up to 16 cents per gallon. Under our proposal which was introduced at the beginning of March, the sales tax rate would be capped at 18 cents a gallon."

"The idea is projected to save taxpayers at least $400 million to $935 million over the next fiscal year depending on gas prices and it will stop the state from receiving a $412 million windfall at the expense of taxpayers." 

DeWitte also explained Republican legislation would focus on taking care of seniors, a group that is especially vulnerable to rising inflation. 

"We are proposing increasing the senior increase tax exemption that seniors receive from $1,000 to $2,000 a year, which amounts to taxpayers' savings of about $40 million. Their plan does not include any specific relief for seniors. None. And the only provision of their plan that remotely addresses Illinois Senior residents is the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit to individuals who are 65 years or older and who meet all of the eligibility stipulations in their plan to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit."

"Our changes save taxpayers in Illinois more money. Our changes, most of them, are permanent and we believe that this would have a much stronger impact on the residents of the state of Illinois," DeWitte concluded.

Senate Bill 4164 was filed by DeWitte and would cut sales tax permanently on food, medical devices and prescription drugs in the state of Illinois. It was introduced on Feb. 9 and referred to the Senate Assignments Committee.

Senate Bill 4163 amends the income tax code for the state and the tax income tax credit increases the property tax income tax credits from 5% to 10%. It was introduced by Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Champaign) on Feb. 9 and referred to the Senate Assignments Committee.

Senate Bill 4161 would make the senior income tax exemptions permanent, increasing the exemptions that seniors receive on their income taxes from $1,000 to $2,000 per year. It was introduced by Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) on Feb. 9 and referred to the Senate Assignments Committee.