Sangamon Sun

Illinois state Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) is taking Gov. J.B. Pritzker to task over his recent budget proposal, especially his talk of withholding as much as $150 million in funding earmarked for K-12 schools as he seeks more of what he wants.

“I urge Governor Pritzker to not hold school funding hostage to his tax hike,” Butler said in a post to his website. “Our schoolchildren and teachers deserve more resources and certainty in funding.”

During his speech, Pritzker intimated that he plans to withhold such funding if his proposed graduated tax does not pass as a constitutional amendment voters will formally weigh in on in November. In addition, the governor has proposed cutting transportation funding by another $40 million if the tax he has sold as only meaning higher tax rates for the state’s richest residents falls short of passage.

“Instead of constantly beating the drum of tax increases, I wish the governor would focus on growing our economy, increasing job opportunities and reversing the trend of outmigration, particularly where it is most needed, here in downstate,” Butler added. “The governor likes to tout that he has been working hard to improve opportunities downstate, but the realities don’t match the words. Illinois’ outmigration has been felt most downstate, while the majority of opportunities have favored Chicago.”

Butler is now asking voters to sign off on an "Urge Gov. J.B. Pritzker Against Holding School Funding Hostage" petition.