FY27 Budget Proposal Targets Local Governments
Governor JB Pritzker has spent months attacking the federal government for overreach. Yet here in Illinois, he continues to push proposals that take away critical funding and stripping local control from communities across our state. Since taking office, Governor Pritzker has tried to centralize more power in Springfield while leaving local governments with fewer resources and less authority- this is not how government should operate. Illinois residents will see higher property taxes along with less essential services and programs from municipalities and counties.
“Our local governments need more funding, yet the majority party has proposed reducing the amount of tax dollars that help support our communities,” Schmidt said. “When I hear the word affordability I think offering relief to families, not proposals that would increase property taxes and other services.”
WalletHub just released their list of the best and worst states to be a taxpayer. Can you guess where Illinois fell? At a whopping 53% above the U.S. average, Illinois’ tax rates are the HIGHEST in the nation. This is not a sustainable path for our state, yet Illinois Democrats show no signs of slowing down their tax-and-spend ways. We need to get Illinois out of last place and make our state a more affordable place to call home today. The results for our state stem from years of bad public policy and Illinois needs to regain control of common sense to move our state forward.
I was more than happy to provide a legislative update to everyone at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville during a tour of their new $105 million Health Sciences Building! This new project connects School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy so students can collaborate more to achieve better outcomes for patients and teaching.
Thank you Chancellor James Minor and Dean Mark Luer for your commitment to creating a brighter future for the students and community in Southern Illinois.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Citizens Utility Board event this week!
Hopefully everyone left with better understanding of their utility bill and how to stay protected against scams 
Poll: Most Illinois voters support opting into scholarship program
Nearly 55% of Illinois voters support the state opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program. But it’s up to Gov. JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the program. Only about one in five oppose him doing so.
More than half of Illinois voters support the state opting into a federal program to let donors help students find extra academic help, according to a new poll.
Only 22% oppose or strongly oppose the move.
Nearly 55% of 579 registered Illinois voters favor the state opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program. The voters were polled Feb. 9-11 by M3 Strategies for the Illinois Policy Institute. […]
Illinois has until Jan. 1 to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program. Doing so would mean students could begin taking advantage of these extra education dollars as soon as next year.
The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program will not divert federal or state money from public schools. There is no cost to states — only the benefit of more help for students.
It was a privilege to attend the Surface Warrior Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Scott Air Force Base last week. This special ceremony honors individuals who made significant contributions to SDDC, MTMC, or MTMTS. The Class of 2025 Inductees included:
- Susan Davidson | Major General
- Kurt Ryan | Major General
- Mr. William Lucas | Senior Executive Service
- Thomas Mott | Command Sergeant Major
Illinois proposal to raise minimum wage to $27 sparks concern from small businesses
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/ WRSP) – Illinois lawmakers are pushing to raise the minimum wage to $27 by 2032, with increases starting this year.
But an Illinois business advocacy group said they strongly oppose potential increases.
If this legislation is passed, minimum wage would jump from $15 to $17 in May of this year.
This legislation is proposed by several Illinois senators, including Kimberly Lightford and Rachel Ventura.
Minimum wage would be set at $17 until the end of 2027, and then increase by $2 every year until 2032.
Representative Kevin Schmidt represents the 114th District, which includes half of St. Clair County.
If you have any questions or concerns about state-related issues, please don’t hesitate to contact my District office by phone or email: 618-215-1050 or [email protected]