Lake County Gazette

Rep. David McSweeny (R-Barrington Hills) is on a never-ending crusade in pursuit of defeating the governor’s efforts to increase taxes. 

“I’m proud to be a part of stopping Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s endless tax hikes,” McSweeney told the Lake County Gazette. “I’ll always stay vigilant looking out for you and every Illinois family. We need to break Springfield’s endless cycle of overspending and subsequent tax hikes.” McSweeney did not seek reelection and will exit the Legislature in January. 

With Pritzker and Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) already talking tax increases just days after voters rejected the governor’s progressive tax, McSweeney knows none of that will come easy.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker | Wikipedia commons

Still, the veteran lawmaker isn’t backing down.

“Illinois residents have the highest tax burden of any state,” McSweeny said. “As chairman of Cut Illinois Taxes Now, I’m fighting to stop Gov. Pritzker’s tax hikes so Illinoisans can keep more of their hard-earned income.”

In the case of Madigan, to some, his motivations for going along with Pritzker seem apparent.

Madigan pledged to go along with Pritzker’s plan, the Daily Herald reported, as part of a campaign speech he recently made to members of the House Black Caucus to secure the 60 votes he needs for another term as House Speaker. Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) has emerged as one of his biggest challengers. 

Madigan, who has served almost 20 terms as House Speaker and is the state’s longest-tenured lawmaker, now finds himself center stage in an ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme. 

Among the four individuals recently indicted as part of the ComEd probe was Michael McClain, a longtime lobbyist and close Madigan associate.