Sangamon Sun

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan is accusing Gov. J.B. Pritzker of not being transparent when it comes to the state budget. 

“Ronald Reagan said: ‘Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe every day is April 15.’ Here in Illinois, J.B. Pritzker and the Democrats have had their way for long enough – it’s time for a real change,” Sullivan said in a release. 

“Last week, Pritzker released a campaign ad to give himself political cover for the more than $2,700 in tax hikes for Illinois families on his watch — hoping that $550 worth of temporary, election-year gimmicks will do the trick until November,” the Sullivan campaign said in a release.

According to the campaign, Pritzker's tax breaks come with hidden costs.

“Pritzker claimed to freeze the gas tax, but the Illinois gas tax is up more than double on Pritzker’s watch (19¢ in 2018; 39.2¢ in 2022) and drivers are on the hook for TWO gas tax hikes next year; Pritzker claimed to eliminate the grocery tax, but this election-year pause means it’s coming back next year. Illinois should join the 37 states that have found a way to do without a grocery tax and permanently repeal it; Pritzker claimed to lower property taxes, but Illinois families have some of the highest property taxes in the country, and they have gone up [to] $2,000 on Pritzker’s watch.”

As part of the budget, an amendment of House Bill 1497, which Pritzker signed, would compel gas stations to post signs noting the gas tax has been delayed. "As of July 1, 2022, the State of Illinois has suspended the inflation adjustment to the motor fuel tax through December 31, 2022. The price on this pump should reflect the suspension of the tax increase," the mandatory signage must read. Retailers who fail to show such a sign face a $500 fine for each day they are out of compliance. 

The state budget also mandates grocery businesses to put the following notation on receipts: "The State of Illinois sales tax on groceries is 0% from July 1, 2022 through July 1, 2023." If the grocery store is unable to print the note on receipts, it must post it on a four-inch by eight-inch sign that must be displayed in the store. The tax suspension is only applicable during the fiscal year. 

The fiscal year 2023 state budget, signed by Pritzker on Tuesday, includes one-time payoffs to Illinois residents as well. A relief plan will send checks of between $50 and $400 to state residents. State taxpayers will also get $100 per dependent. A 5% break is being provided to homeowners as well, who face the nation’s second-highest property taxes.

Sullivan, 37, is a Menard County native. The internet entrepreneur is running for office for the first time.