Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) | repmclaughlin.com
Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) | repmclaughlin.com
The Illinois Family Relief Plan is putting $1.83 billion toward tax relief on groceries, gas and properties. Not everyone thinks it goes far enough.
“Only government can pat itself on the back for ‘giving’ $35 in ‘tax relief’ to Illinois families that cost them $90,” Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Lake Barrington) wrote on Facebook. “Illinoisans need real relief to recover from record-high inflation and our state's burdensome taxes. Election year gimmicks aren't going to cut it.”
The plan included a Back to School sales tax holiday in August that’s expected to save families $50 million.
“Given the pandemic and the impact of inflation, we know families are in desperate need of relief,” Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) said in a release.
The average price of a gallon of regular gas in Illinois is $4.33 as of Aug. 11, according to AAA, higher than the national average of $4.33 and up from $3.39 one year ago. In Lake County, gas prices average $4.38.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been touting his Family Relief Plan, which includes a delayed gas tax increase, the suspended grocery tax, and temporary income tax credits. However, the plan will only save the average Illinois family $35 per month, while inflation is costing the average family an extra $90 per month, according to Illinois Policy.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics issued its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) summary on Aug. 10, which found that the rate of inflation over the last 12 months is 8.5%. In the last year, the cost of food has increased by 10.9%, the cost of energy has increased by 32.9%, the cost of gasoline has increased by 44%, the cost of new vehicles has increased by 10.4%, and the cost of transportation services has increased by 9.2%.
A release from the state noted the 2023 fiscal budget will allocate $2.7 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act toward making federal advances to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
McLaughlin was first elected to the Illinois House in 2020. His legislative experience includes serving on the Revenue & Finance and Prescription Drug Affordability committees. McLaughlin resides in Barrington Hills.
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