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State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St.Charles, discussed Senate Bill 1150,
which would make the 2022 sales tax exemption for groceries a
permanent one while also exempting prescription drugs and other
medical devices from state sales tax beginning on July 1, 2023.
DeWitte said that residents in Illinois are struggling to keep up
with the state's high cost of living.
"Families continue to struggle with increased grocery costs, higher
inflation and interest rates, and a possible looming recession.
That's why we are here to discuss what we believe can be bipartisan
solutions to provide relief for Illinois families," DeWitte said.
State Sen. Erica Harriss, R-Glen Carbon, said she hopes to pass
legislation to provide relief to Illinoisans with high energy bills.
Harriss' Senate Bill 2200 would provide each household with credits
on their energy bills.
"If successful, my legislation would release funds to provide each
Ameren customer household with around $170 in credits on their
bills," Harriss said.
Senate Bill 1151, which state Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, filed, would
give parents a state tax credit of up to $500 per child on their
income taxes to help provide financial relief for those paying for
child care services.
Tracy said the state also has other issues within child care to
address but said her measure could be a start.
"While there are many facets of the problem that need to be
addressed, including child care deserts," Tracy said, "one thing
that we can do is to help reduce the financial burden and establish
a state child care credit."
Tracy said her measure would also help improve the state's job
market.
"Unfortunately, that burden has disproportionately impacted women
who lost their jobs at a much higher rate than men during the
pandemic," Tracy said. "If we want to grow our workforce in
Illinois, we must grow our opportunities for quality, affordable,
and accessible childcare."
Gov. J.B. Pritzker spoke on Thursday about his budget proposal.
Pritzker says his focus is on balancing the budget.
"Illinois has had a past where for a few years anyway, that
[balancing the budget] didn't happen," Pritzker said. "So, getting
done that for four years in a row, now five years, I hope, in a row
is a big deal."
The budget set to begin July 1 will need approval from the 103rd
General Assembly.
Andrew Hensel reports on issues in Chicago and
Statewide. He has been with The Center Square News since April of
2021 and was previously with The Joliet Slammers.
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