House Republican State Representatives Joe Sosnowski, Steve Reick, and Tom Weber held a press conference on April 15 to criticize what they described as high taxes imposed by Democrats in Illinois. The representatives said that families are facing a growing financial burden under Governor J.B. Pritzker and House Democrats.
Weber said, “We are here today because April 15th is Tax Day, and in Illinois, it’s a reminder that families, seniors, and small businesses are all suffocating under the ever-increasing costs to live, work, and survive in Illinois.”
According to the representatives at the event, there have been at least 70 tax and fee increases since 2011. They said that at least 49 of those increases have occurred during Governor Pritzker’s administration since he took office in 2019. The lawmakers also stated that state tax revenue has increased by $18 billion since 2019—a rise of about fifty percent—and that this increase is much higher than inflation over the same period.
The group pointed out that last year’s state budget included $700 million in new taxes. They added that each Illinoisan is now paying $1,434 more in taxes than when Pritzker became governor.
“The simple fact is this: the extremely high tax burden in this state continues to force families, seniors, and small businesses away,” Weber said. “Not because they did something wrong, but because constantly increasing taxes are bleeding people dry.” He concluded with a call for action: “No more excuses. No more delays. Illinoisans deserve relief—now.”
The representatives also mentioned several legislative proposals they say would provide relief for taxpayers but have not advanced under Democratic leadership. These include House Bill 9, House Bill 4626, House Bill 5017 and House Bill 3226.
Weber was elected as a Republican to represent Illinois’ 64th District in the State House starting in 2019 after replacing Barbara Wheeler according to Ballotpedia.
