Rep. Butler Statement: “I voted against a permanent, significant increase of the income tax”
 

[July 03, 2017]  "Today I voted against a permanent, significant increase of the income tax in the State of Illinois.

"I am not opposed to supporting new avenues of revenue to help balance the state's budget. Today's option, though, was voting for a permanent income tax increase bill coupled with a spending bill that was introduced just mere hours before consideration. Even more dire than that, today's votes represent a one-sided end to negotiations when we need a compromise settlement to this impasse.

"The majority in the House had all session to introduce a budget that works for the people of Illinois, and they left it until the new fiscal year had already begun, then dropped a budget and passed it within hours. This continues the decades-long practice of how Speaker Madigan runs the Illinois House.

"The legislation put before us today does nothing to pay down the state's nearly $15 billion bill backlog. It does nothing to address the outrageous amount of money owed to vendors throughout the 87th District.

"I want a truly balanced budget that is fair for the citizens of Illinois. I want a state that is moving forward, competitive, and is creating jobs. Today's votes did not meet that standard, and that is why I voted no.”

-Representative Tim Butler,
87th District

[From the Office of Representative Tim Butler]