Political Expert: Tax relief plan is about mid-terms

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCCU) — The proposed budget from Illinois Democrats aims its focus at providing tax relief and targeting money at paying off debts.

The party came together on Thursday to share the plan of $1.8 billion going towards assisting in tax relief.

"These are pressures people are feeling at the gas pump, the grocery checkout line, they are really feeling it everywhere they go and that is one of the reasons we are providing the significant tax relief we have got in our plan," said Governor J.B. Pritzker.

The tax relief includes the temporary pausing of the grocery and gas tax, and a boosting in property tax rebates and income tax credits.

University of Illinois Springfield Political Science Professor Kent Redfield said the $1 billion going towards the budget stabilization fund is a big deal.

"It is our surplus account that we have that for emergencies. It has been basically zero, because we don't pay our bills on time or haven't until recently. We have had a negative emergency fund," said Redfield.

$200 million is set to go towards paying off the state's pension plan debt, with Redfield sharing he believes more would go towards it if it wasn't an election year.

"That doesn't look very good on a campaign flyer or stunt speech, 'I cut the long-term debt,' whereas you will say 'I kept the money in your pocket, I cut the price of gas'," said Redfield.

In response to the budget, Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie issues a statement:

What is most unfortunate about the Democrats’ budget plan is we have an opportunity right now to provide permanent tax relief for the people of Illinois, yet instead, the Democrats are choosing to provide one-time checks and other temporary relief just before the election which expires right after the election," McConchie said. "Additionally, we are significantly increasing government spending. Evidently, they think they know how to better spend your money better than you do.

Redfield added how a permanent tax cut would be crippling for the state.

"Sales tax or income tax permanently, then in the out-years as revenue goes back down to what they were previously, you will only have one option when it comes to balancing the budget, which is to cut services," said Redfield.