New week, new updates! Here’s a quick look at what’s happening and the stories you’ll want to catch up on.
This week’s newsletter includes the following topics:
- Nuclear Ban Survey Results
- Working Families Could Face $1.5 Billion Tax Hikes
- October is Manufacturing Month
- ISAC Launches Annual College Changes Everything Campaign
- Share Lincoln’s Legacy with the Ambassador Program
Working Families Could Face $1.5 Billion Tax Hike in Second Week of Veto
As the General Assembly returns to Springfield for the second week of the fall veto session, Democrats in Springfield are pushing a plan that could cost Illinois families up to $1.5 billion more each year to bail out Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Chicago transit system, which faces a looming budget shortfall due to long-term financial mismanagement.
Among other items, some of the ideas proposed in the new wish list include:
- $1 Delivery Tax on Orders over $100: Makes it more expensive for families to order baby formula and diapers, school supplies, and other household essentials online.
- Service Taxes: Raises the cost of routine needs families can’t go without like haircuts, car repairs, and childcare.
- $1 Toll Surcharge: Adds up quickly for commuters, taking more money out of every paycheck just to get to work.
- 10% Rideshare Tax: Increases the cost of getting to work, appointments, or school, especially for families without easy access to public transit.
- Real Estate Transfer Tax: Makes buying or selling a home more expensive for working families and first-time homebuyers.
- New Vehicle Tax: Makes it harder for families to afford or replace a reliable car.
- Payroll (Head) Tax: Raises costs for employers in Chicago, which could mean fewer jobs and lower wages for workers.
- More Speed Cameras: Means more costly fines for parents and workers driving to their jobs or running family errands.
- Higher RTA Sales Tax: Raises the price of nearly everything families buy, from school supplies to clothing to household goods for families in the suburbs.
The plan doesn’t just raise taxes, it raises the cost of daily life. Families would pay more for the basics they rely on every day, from getting to work and buying groceries to caring for their kids.
My peers and I warn that these taxes would hit suburban and downstate families hardest, forcing them to subsidize Mayor Brandon Johnson’s financial mismanagement. For many downstate families who never ride Chicago’s buses or trains, this plan means paying more for a service they may never use. Illinois families are already paying more for utilities, daily necessities, and property taxes, and they cannot afford another round of tax hikes.
Every extra dollar matters for working parents trying to put food on the table and keep the lights on. The last thing Illinois families need is another tax making life harder. I am driving a cost reduction and efficiency improvement strategy that will reduce taxes for Illinois families.
October is Manufacturing Month
October is recognized as Manufacturing Month, an opportunity to celebrate the people and innovation driving Illinois’ largest industry sector.
Before joining the Senate, I had the privilege of working for Caterpillar — a company that embodies the strength and skill of Illinois manufacturing. That experience gave me a firsthand look at the dedication, problem-solving, and craftsmanship that define our state’s workforce.
According to the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), Illinois manufacturers directly employ more than 662,000 men and women and contribute $580 billion in annual economic impact. From small, family-run shops to large-scale operations, manufacturing is the backbone of communities across our state — providing good-paying jobs, supporting local economies, and creating opportunities for future generations.
This month, the IMA and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center launched their “Makers on the Move” bus tour to spotlight the people and businesses keeping Illinois at the forefront of American manufacturing. You can learn more and view the full list of tour stops click here.
As someone who’s been part of this industry, I’m proud to celebrate the hardworking men and women who continue to make Illinois a leader in manufacturing.
ISAC Launches Annual College Changes Everything Campaign
TheIllinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has recently announced its tenth annual College Changes Everything® (CCE) Campaign. The campaign partners with schools and community organizations in Illinois to allow students to explore the option of college after high school.
ISAC works year-round to support students, but the campaign provides free college and financial aid application workshops for high school students. The CCE campaign has led the way for hundreds of thousands of students in Illinois to be able to receive information and help in their efforts to attend institutions of higher education.
ISAC advises that most students will have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for receiving federal, state, and other forms of financial aid; however, ISAC also provides information on the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid that may offer financial aid to students who may not qualify for federal aid.
The CCE campaign started on Labor Day and will continue until Thanksgiving. For more information, visit ISAC’s website here.
Share Lincoln’s legacy with the Ambassador Program at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) invites you to join their Ambassador Program. This is a unique opportunity to help your family, friends, or staff enjoy all the knowledge and fun available at one of the nation’s premier presidential museums.
Please contact our Guest Experience Team at (217) 558-8844, ALPLM.guestentry@illinois.gov to join this outstanding program. For more information please visit: https://presidentlincoln.illinois.gov/support/become-an-ambassador/