Galesburg Reporter

In a Feb. 15 Facebook post, Sen. Neil Anderson reacted to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's State of the State address.

“With the budget proposed by the Governor today, mark my words he's setting Illinoisans up for a massive tax hike in the future,” he posted on Facebook.

Anderson shared a link to his Senate web page which had an expanded response.

“There is no doubt our state has a spending problem and today’s budget address reflects that as we head down a dangerous path," Anderson said. "Republicans have been warning the Governor and the Majority Party that the federal COVID money would dry up, well, here we are. We are on the brink of a recession, yet the Governor introduced a plan that increases permanent spending by $3 billion."

Anderson predicts tax hikes.

"We will not be able to keep up with this outrageous spending spree. Families in Illinois are already one of the highest taxed individuals in the nation, we can’t withstand any more tax increases," he said. "While I do appreciate the prioritization of funding for Illinois State Police included in the governor’s proposal, we must also not forget to fund downstate fire, police, EMS, and dispatchers that are so vital to our communities.”

In his address, Pritzker touted fiscal progress. 

"What was once an Illinois with $17 billion in overdue bills is now an Illinois that pays its bills on time. What was once an Illinois that went years without a budget is now an Illinois that has passed four balanced budgets in a row," Pritzker said. "What was once a state with no cushion to protect it in an economic downturn is now an Illinois on track to have a $2.3 billion Rainy Day Fund. What was once an Illinois with a credit rating on the verge of junk status is now an Illinois getting credit upgrades."

Pritzker then listed the billions of dollars in debt that has been paid off.

"Remember the $230 million in College Illinois debt? Paid. Remember the $900 million in group health insurance debt? Paid. How about the $800 million Thompson center liability? Paid. $4.5 billion Unemployment Trust Fund debt? Paid. The $1.3 billion debt owed to Illinois’ treasury funds swept by previous governors? Paid. $8 billion of overdue bills? Paid."

Anderson is a firefighter/paramedic in the Moline Fire Department and lives in Andalusia with his wife and two children.