This editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board In recent years, Illinoisans have become accustomed to bad news on the state's finances, so it's natural to feel a little skeptical about reports of a newly robust budget outlook.
We have been in the forefront of those fretting that a surge of spending amid a windfall of federal pandemic revenues may not bode well when the federal money goes away. And we're not yet ready to break out the noisemakers and party hats. Republican Tom Demmer, a former state representative from Dixon and no particular friend to policies pressed in recent years by the governing Democratic Party, was not shy about recognizing the state's newly impressive ledger.
by signing up you agree to our terms of service Let's not be naive. Much of the good news comes because tax hikes have produced even more revenues than expected and spending as the pandemic wanes has produced booming sales tax income. And, Gov. J.B. Pritzker himself acknowledges that the appearance of surpluses has much to do with the management of revenue expectations.
Covid provided the perfect cover for the blue state bailout nobody wanted.
Give the taxpayers some of their money back.
Come on dh do some due diligence. The state is in a HUGE mess. Taxes through the roof, job creators fleeing the state, and a huge deficit. Can’t keep patting ptitzger on his rather ginormous bum no matter how much money you guys get from liberal special interest groups.