Dear Business Owner,
I know small businesses like yours are the bedrock of our communities. You provide the services families count on, sponsor local teams and school events, and give neighbors the jobs that keep our towns strong.
But Springfield’s tax and spend agenda threatens all of that. In just six years, state spending has increased by nearly 40 percent. This year, to pay for it legislators and special interest groups pushed for:
- A $1.50 delivery tax on nearly every package dropped at your door
- A new service tax on everything from haircuts to home repairs
- A “mom and pop” tax on digital ads that would punish family-run shops just trying to reach customers
Luckily, we were able to stop these taxes for now, but if they go through, they won’t just raise costs for small businesses. They’ll ripple through the entire community. Families will face higher prices, employees could see hours cut or jobs lost, and the small businesses that sponsor Little League teams, support church groups, and give back to local causes will be forced to do less.
I fought to stop these tax hikes, and we held the line for now. But make no mistake: they will be back. When these ideas come back, it’s small businesses and the families who rely on them that will pay the price.
That’s why I need your voice in this fight. Here’s how you can help:
- Post the enclosed flyer in your shop
- Share the petition with your customers
- Tell your story through our “Small Business Voices” form
Together, we can protect small businesses, the families you employ, and the communities that depend on you. Illinois needs a government that lives within its means, not one that keeps coming back for more.
Sincerely,
Senator Chris Balkema