Metro East Sun

Following the Senate’s partisan advancement of budget legislation on Tuesday, the Illinois Republican Party is calling constituents of Reps. Jerry Costello II (D-Smithton), Daniel Beiser (D-Alton) and Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville), urging them to voice their opposition to increased taxes without reform.

The robocalls, targeting House Districts 111, 112 and 116, along with 16 others throughout the state that the Illinois GOP considers to be competitive, point out the cons of the Senate’s bill, according to a release from the party. The budget would increase income tax and expand the state’s sales tax to apply to a new range of services and products. It does not include a property tax freeze.

“Last night, with little debate, Senate Democrats in Springfield passed one of the largest tax hikes in state history,” the calls say. “Their plan will raise the income tax on every Illinoisan by 32 percent. They passed huge taxes on everyday services like Netflix, dry cleaning and television. And they chose to let property taxes continue to skyrocket.  Now the bill goes to Mike Madigan's House for a vote. You can help stop the tax hikes.”

The Illinois GOP is asking voters to call Costello, Beiser and Stuart and tell them to vote against the budget.