Illinois Valley Times

Illinois State Senate District 37 candidate Li Arellano stated, "Illinoisians are struggling to pay rising costs of living, but that didn't stop new tax hikes in Springfield." Arellano, who is running to replace Sen. Win Stoller, added, "They approved hundreds of millions in pork barrel spending to reward those they could get to vote for the budget and added hundreds of millions more designated toward non-citizens and illegal immigrants."

"Illinoisians are struggling to pay rising costs of living, but that didn't stop new tax hikes in Springfield," said Arellano, according to Facebook. "After multiple failed votes due to bipartisan opposition, Democrats changed the rules in the middle of the night to allow passage of their new tax increases and record spending. They approved hundreds of millions in pork barrel spending to reward those they could get to vote for the budget and added hundreds of millions more designated toward non-citizens and illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, Illinois is still not properly funding state pensions--which means more budget shortfalls in future years. This budget had neither an ethical process nor a wise outcome."

In his Facebook post, Arellano shared a link to an Illinois Policy article reporting that "Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending." According to the publication, the tax hikes delayed legislators’ plans to pass a state budget and adjourn on May 24. Instead, the general assembly adjourned on May 29 after an hour of debate at 1 a.m. and a 65-45 vote in the House of Representatives to send the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 to Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign.

Screenshot of Li Arellano for State Senate's May 29 Facebook post | Li Arellano for Senate Facebook page

The article outlines several issues with the proposed budget that legislators passed on May 29. First, the proposed pension contributions for fiscal year 2025 will put the budget $4.5 billion in debt compared to the contributions deemed necessary by an actuary and highlighted in the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

It also details tax changes and increases included in the budget. The increase on sports wagering changes from a flat fee of 15% to anywhere from 20-40%, depending on gross revenues; there is also an increase in the Illinois video gaming tax, which rises to 35%.

The budget includes a plan to eliminate the sales tax on groceries, although that repeal won’t happen until 2026, according to Illinois Policy.

Additionally, there is a state child tax credit that applies to children under the age of 12. Parents will receive a tax credit equal to 20% of their state earned income tax credit in 2024, then 40% in fiscal year 2025.

Expenditures are also addressed in the article, which states that spending is $2.7 billion above the originally enacted 2024 budget and claims that the spending plan is $400 million more than what was originally proposed.

Li Arellano is the Republican nominee for Illinois State Senate District 37. The former mayor of Dixon is a small business owner and serves in the Army Reserves following his enlistment in 2001. He is a squad leader in the 317th Engineer Construction Company (ECC), according to his official biography on his campaign website.