AFFORDABILITY/TAXES
Governor Pritzker is Making Life Too Damn Expensive. During his budget address last week, Governor Pritzker declared that everything is “too damned expensive.” On that point, Republicans agree. But the Governor failed to take accountability for his role in making Illinois less affordable, and his proposed budget makes clear that more of the same is on the way.

In his latest proposal, Governor Pritzker continues to squeeze working families and drive up the cost of living: 

During his budget address last week, Governor Pritzker declared that everything is “too damned expensive.” On that point, Republicans agree. But the Governor failed to take accountability for his role in making Illinois less affordable, and his proposed budget makes clear that more of the same is on the way. 

AFFORDABILITY/BUDGET
Pritzker’s Budget Blame Game Won’t Make Life More Affordable for Illinois Families. Governor JB Pritzker delivered his annual Budget/State of the State Address Wednesday to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly.

Governor Pritzker’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget is a record-high $56 billion, nearly a billion dollars more than last year’s enacted budget. Pritzker’s spending plan relies on $728 million in new revenue, including new taxes on social media platforms and higher gaming taxes. 

After seven years in office, Illinois families are still being squeezed by high taxes, rising crime, and a governor who governs with arrogance instead of accountability. Governor JB Pritzker promised stability and progress, but his tenure has delivered bigger government, higher costs, and policies that continue to fail the people of Illinois.

Illinois deserves an honest accounting of where we are and how we got here. Governor Pritzker’s record speaks for itself. Below are just a few examples of how his leadership has failed Illinois: 

AFFORDABILITY/TAXES
House Republicans Discuss Democrat Tax Hikes and Affordability for Illinois Families. House Republican State Representatives Dave Severin and Kyle Moore held a Zoom press conference on Wednesday to alert Illinois taxpayers about two pending legislative proposals that would increase taxes on campfires and grocery bags. 

With the 2026 tax season upon us, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), have both announced they began accepting and processing 2025 tax returns beginning on Monday, January 26th.

In Illinois, taxpayers may use MyTax Illinois, a free online management program offered by the state for those filing state taxes. The software is open to individuals and businesses, utilized by IDOR, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), and the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC). MyTax Illinois also allows taxpayers to make payments, respond to department inquiries, and check the status of returns with the Where’s My Refund? site.

Democratic State Representative Laura Faver Dias has filed a bill to bring back the Democrats’ proposed bag tax, just another example of their push to raise the cost of living on Illinois families.

As more legislation is introduced, it’s becoming clear that Democrats’ agenda for the 2026 session is to make everyday life even more expensive. Under Faver Dias’s proposal, a new carryout bag tax would be imposed and then increased by five cents each year through 2030. The tax would apply to paper, plastic, and even reusable bags.