Legislators Condemn Pritzker’s Dangerous Political Rhetoric on the National Stage
Illinois House Republicans slammed proposals from progressive interest groups that would raise taxes by $6 billion on Illinois working families and businesses.
At a Capitol news conference Thursday, Deputy Republican Leader Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) and Assistant Republican Leaders C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) and Amy Elik (R-Alton) called the $6 billion in proposed tax hikes “outrageous and unacceptable.”
This week, progressive Democrats ramped up their campaign for a graduated income tax hike, despite Illinois voters soundly rejecting a constitutional amendment for a progressive income tax in 2020. And the Illinois Revenue Alliance presented a list of tax hikes that would raise taxes by $6 billion.
“These progressive special interests that are part of the Illinois Revenue Alliance, aka the ‘Tax-and-Spend Alliance,’ are proposing $6 billion in new taxes on hardworking Illinois families and businesses,” said Rep. Hammond. “$6 billion in new taxes! All to pay for taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants, more pork projects for Democrats, and a wish list of wasteful spending programs. These tax hikes would further damage our economy and drive up the cost of living for Illinois families.”
Hammond, who serves as the Chief Budgeteer for the House Republican Caucus, called out what she considers to be the most egregious tax hike proposal: raising the Estate Tax by cutting the exemption in half (from $4 million to $2 million).
“Our family farmers are struggling enough already,” Rep. Hammond said. “They shouldn’t have to sell the family farm just to pay this unfair tax. We should be encouraging and supporting our family farmers, not taxing them to death.”
Deputy Budgeteer Amy Elik questioned why state agencies haven’t presented their lists of proposed cuts to the budget, rather than relying on more taxes to fund state government.
“So far this spring, we haven’t talked about the most important issues affecting Illinois families, like high property taxes and the high cost of living and doing business in Illinois,” said Rep. Elik. “The people of Illinois are tapped out. We cannot accept ANY tax increases. Our seniors are suffering under the weight of crushing property tax bills; it’s hard for young families to afford housing, daycare, and utilities; and this budget – and any other bill that comes out of this General Assembly – cannot include a tax increase. That’s a message that resonates with people all across Illinois.”
While progressive Democrats are demanding tax hikes for more wasteful government spending, Governor JB Pritzker is spending his time stumping around the country for his 2028 presidential aspirations. Even worse, Pritzker is resorting to inflammatory, dangerous rhetoric in his attacks on President Trump and Republicans.
Referring to President Trump at a speech in March, Pritzker said, “Bullies respond to one thing, and one thing only, a punch in the face.” During that same speech at a California LGBTQ convention, Pritzker said, “I won’t continue to advocate that we wage conventional political fights when what we really need is to become street fighters.”
Gov. Pritzker’s calls for political unrest and his wink and nod toward political violence didn’t end there. Earlier this week at a New Hampshire Democratic Party fundraiser, Pritzker ramped up the rhetoric.
First, he started his speech by saying, “It’s time to fight everywhere and all at once.”
Then, Pritzker crossed the line in calling for political violence.
“Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption, but I am now. These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”
State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer condemned Pritzker’s dangerous political rhetoric on the national stage.
“Governor Pritzker, your comments are appalling. You should apologize to all Republicans for encouraging harassment and disruption as you focus on your White House aspirations. The hateful rhetoric, threats of violence, and the actual attacks that are sure to follow are on you and you alone,” Davidsmeyer said.
“The Governor should be spending his time working with us on a balanced budget, rather than threatening to punch Republicans in the face. Governor Pritzker, do the job you were elected to do, not the job you so desperately want in Washington, D.C.”
Watch the full press conference here.