Illinois Valley Times

Sen. Win Stoller (R-Peoria) has criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker's initiative to use federal funds to partially pay down the unemployment insurance trust fund debt, which Republicans say would pave the way for future tax hikes.

"While other states took action, our governor did nothing except go on a spending spree using some of these ARPA dollars for pork projects and bigger government and other non-covid related spending," Stoller said at a recent press conference. "He sat on his hands instead of rolling up his sleeves and taking action, and now we're faced with billions of dollars in debt and no plan to solve it other than impending tax benefit cuts, tax increases and more debt. We had all the money we needed to solve this problem, and we didn't do it."

The debt incurred in the unemployment trust fund will be partially closed after taking $2.7 billion from Illinois' remaining federal COVID relief. "Illinois employers appreciate the Governor and members of the General Assembly for taking this positive step in addressing the massive $4.5 billion in outstanding debt," reads a statement from The Joint Employers, as reported by WTTW. The Joint Employers is a coalition between several business groups in Illinois. However, Republicans feel that this solution will bring tax hikes.

"This action will lead to the largest tax increase on business in the state of Illinois in this state's history," Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) said to WTTW. "Employers who have been treated with absolute disregard throughout this pandemic will literally be left holding the bag, and will be responsible for filing the remaining deficit to the Unemployment Insurance Trust fund."

The fiscal budget will have to be passed by the General Assembly by April 8, and this would include the funding for the unemployment insurance trust fund.