Sangamon Sun

House Republicans in Illinois are urging the state legislature to focus on policies that directly benefit families and small businesses. This comes as Democratic members of the House Revenue and Finance Committee have cited federal tariff policies as major economic challenges for the state.

Representatives Jeff Keicher, Joe Sosnowski, and Travis Weaver expressed the need for state lawmakers to take responsibility and prioritize local policies. They assert that Illinois' economic problems have persisted for decades due to policies enacted by Democratic leadership.

“Rather than using federal politics as a scapegoat, Illinois lawmakers should take ownership of the policies within our control,” said Keicher, Weaver, and Sosnowski. They emphasized that the state's economic issues have roots in regulations, tax increases, and legislation that have hindered growth.

One example they pointed to is Illinois’ slow growth in home construction, where the state has only seen a 3.4 percent increase in housing units between 2013 and 2023, only ahead of West Virginia and Michigan.

A WalletHub survey found that Illinois families will face the second-highest property tax rate in the nation in 2025, paying over twice the national average. Additionally, Illinois struggles with the highest unfunded pension liability in the country, significant outmigration, and a high unemployment rate.

The Republican representatives concluded by stating, “State lawmakers in Illinois can take this as a moment of unity to focus on cooperating with the federal government and enacting policies to lower taxes and strengthen our economy at home. It’s time to enact real pro-growth policy, and no amount of finger-pointing can undo decades of stagnation.”