Mitchell: Democrats give Hollywood another tax break, refuse to extend lives of Illinois enterprise zones

[May 18, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, chastised House Democrats Wednesday for passing legislation to expand the film production tax credit in Illinois while they are holding up crucial legislation to extend the life of Illinois enterprise zones.

"The House Democrats are giving their liberal Hollywood friends another tax break, yet they refuse to allow a vote on our enterprise zone extension legislation," Mitchell said. "The Decatur Macon County Enterprise Zone will expire next year if we don’t take action soon. I am disgusted that the Democrats in charge of this state continue to pander to Hollywood while they ignore the economic development needs of downstate Illinois."

On Wednesday, the Illinois House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1286, legislation that adds animated productions to the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit Act. If the Senate concurs, animated film productions will be eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent of all qualified expenditures.

"Illinois Democrats raised the income tax on working families and small businesses by 67 percent last year," Mitchell added. "They are blocking Senate Bill 3688, which would extend the lives of our enterprise zones. But when Hollywood comes knocking, they give away the bank. The Democrats’ economic policy seems to be 'Hollywood good; Illinois working families bad.’"

[Text from file received from Rep. Bill Mitchell]