McHenry Times

State Sen. Craig Wilcox, R-McHenry, is pointing to the timing of Gov. JB Pritzker's rebate checks as evidence that they are politically motivated in an election year.

According to an ABC 8 report, some Illinoisians may get a little extra cash courtesy of the state this fall in the form of rebate checks stemming from the $46.5 billion budget for the fiscal year. The Illinois Family Relief Plan earmarks $1.8 billion for the rebates for residents earning less than $200,000 or $400,000 for couples filing jointly may receive a $50 check or $100 for a married couple, plus $100 for each dependent, according to the report.  Wilcox noted in a release on his website that the plan was approved by the General Assembly earlier this year during an abbreviated session. 

“Gov. Pritzker, who claims the rebate checks are not politically motivated, announced this week that money will arrive in the mail or in accounts over the next eight weeks,” he said on his website. ‘With rebates starting on Monday, September 12, delivery is scheduled to be complete by Monday, Nov. 7, the day before the 2023 General Election. This is no coincidence."

Moreover, residents who own property will be entitled to additional money. Property owners who earn less than $250,000 or $500,000 for couples filing jointly may receive a property tax rebate of 5% of their property tax payment up to $300.  

“This $1.8 billion in tax relief is possible because Democrats balanced the budget, eliminated the bill backlog, funded schools, fixed roads - and through responsible financial decision-making - still found ourselves with a one-time surplus," Pritzker said in a news release on Illinois.gov. "There are those who might have sent those funds straight back into the pockets of the 1 percent and big corporations instead of to working families, but that's not what good government does.”

According to Illinoispolicy.org, Pritzker has levied 24 fee and tax hikes during his term, adding up to an extra $2,721 for the typical family in the state, while the tax relief added to the 2023 budget will result in $556 in savings for the same families. 

Rocket Mortgage reported that the state has the second highest property tax rate in the country at 2.27%, trailing only New Jersey. Under these tax rates, the owner of a home valued at $194,500 pays $4,942 each year, while 30 states enjoy property tax rates of less than 1%.

WalletHub also reported that the state has the 10th highest tax burden in the country at 9.7%, factoring in sales and excise taxes, property taxes and income taxes. 

Pritzker will be on the November ballot as he tries to retain his job as governor. According to Ballotpedia.com, he will be challenged by Republican Darren Bailey.