Giving hard-working families a break
One of my biggest goals this spring is to pass legislation that will give working families a break. I’m proud to be part of a group of House Republicans that have introduced the Relief for Working Families package that will provide just that – from furthering your education to starting a new business or simply keeping more of your hard-earned money in your own pocket.
Included in the package is my Reducing Barriers to Start Act that will eliminate many of the first-year fees that new business startups face in Illinois, including all first-year business fees relating to licensing or registration. According to the U.S Treasury, Small businesses created over 70 percent of net new jobs since 2019. Whether your dream is to start a business out of your home or to open a local restaurant that could create 20 new jobs, the Reducing Barriers to Start Act can help make that dream a reality.
Other elements of the House Republicans’ Relief for Working Families Plan include:
- Deducting state taxes on tips that are included in a worker’s federal adjusted gross income (HB1383).
- Doubling the maximum education expense tax credit from $750 to $1,500 (HB3821).
- Creating an income tax deduction for amounts paid by a worker’s employer as part of an educational assistance program (HB1752).
- Establishing the Illinois Trades Retention and Development Encouragement (TRADE) Grant Program for those seeking training in trades such as construction, electrical work, and steel working (HB3807).
- Increasing trade training options by allowing a Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, or Trade (METT) teaching license to be awarded to experienced workers in those trades (HB1112).
- Awarding income tax credits to taxpayers who make contributions to organizations that award scholarships for technical education (HB1729).
Audit shows Pritzker Administration vastly underestimated the cost of immigrant healthcare program
The Illinois Auditor General has released the results of an audit of the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors and Adults programs, which showed that the State of Illinois has already spent over $1.6 billion in taxpayer funds on health benefits for undocumented immigrants. According to the report Governor Pritzker’s administration vastly underestimated the actual cost and actual enrollment of the programs.
The total cost for the HBIS and HBIA programs since inception was just over $1.6 billion (for FY21-FY24). Fiscal Year 2025 has an estimated cost of $629 million, which was not included in the audit, bringing the total estimated cost of the programs to $2.2 billion.
Two weeks ago, Governor Pritzker proposed ending the program for undocumented immigrant adults aged 42-64 in Fiscal Year 2026. However, he wants to continue the program for undocumented immigrants aged 65+.
When the majority party created these programs, Republicans warned that the costs would be astronomical…and Republicans were right. I wasn’t in the General Assembly to speak against creating these programs, but this spring I am calling for them to be shut down so we can do a better job funding the programs we should be, like Meals on Wheels and Veterans assistance.
Meanwhile, massive $737 million State budget shortfall projected for FY26
The projection was made by the nonpartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA), the budget-forecasting arm of the Illinois General Assembly. The negative forecast was presented to lawmakers by CGFA economists on Tuesday.
CGFA sees relatively weak private-sector job growth for Illinois in the months ahead. This job growth slowdown is expected to generate disappointing Illinois tax payments and cash flows during the next twelve-month-long fiscal period. This shortfall would be more than $1.2 billion were it not for a series of “hidden” tax increases and one-time money transfers located deep within Gov. Pritzker’s proposed budget that, if passed, will take effect on July 1, 2025.
Homeschool families make their voices heard
Yesterday was Homeschool Lobby Day at the State Capitol! Homeschool families from across the state rallied, attended press conferences, and treated legislators to home-made pies.
I stand with homeschool families and advocates to protect their rights.
This year, Democrats have proposed legislation (HB 2827) that places burdensome reporting, curricular, and administrative requirements on families in the homeschool community. I believe that parents know what’s best for their children and I will stand against these intrusive mandates.
If you support Homeschool freedom too, you can sign my petition at:
Moore Homeschool Petition – Illinois House Republicans
And the winner is…our current state flag
Following the five-week voting period to consider a redesign of our state flag the public overwhelmingly favors retaining our current flag,
Voters had the option to choose their favorite design from one of the Illinois Flag Commission’s Top 10 new designs, or one of three former flag designs, including the current one, which has not had a major redesign in the past century.
Of the nearly 385,000 votes that were received, over 165,000, or 43 percent, were cast for the current Illinois State flag, which received more votes than the next five top designs combined.
Thank you for showing our state flag some love!
Get ready to move your clocks forward
With winter coming to a close, it is time to get ready to spring forward back to Daylight Saving Time this weekend. On Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 a.m., clocks should be adjusted one hour forward.