Metro East Sun

Republican state House candidate Amy Elik wonders what Gov. J.B. Pritzker sees when he looks in the mirror.

“The governor's and the Democrat-controlled legislature's refusal to even look at spending cuts proves that they don't recognize they have a spending problem,” Elik told the Metro East Sun soon after Democrats came together to pass a $42 billion spending plan that is now headed to the governor’s desk for his almost certain signing. “The budget approved this past weekend is proof that the Democrats believe in fairy tales and aren't prioritizing working families. No consideration was given to the fact that revenues will not be coming in at the same level as past years due to the decreased economic activity and shutdowns during the pandemic.”

The plan that Democrats passed in lockstep also banks on major funding from the federal government in hopes of plugging the many holes made even deeper by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, lawmakers added a provision that also clears the way for a $5 billion loan from the federal government.

“Borrowing $5 billion should not be the way to plug revenue shortfalls, but that is exactly what the democrats approved, so the state is pushing its fiscal problems into future years once again,” added Elik, now running against incumbent state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) in the 111th District.

Elik adds she’s convinced Pritzker’s one-size fits all approach to handling COVID-19 has only made matters worse for the state.

“The governor's decisions during the pandemic have been solely based on his interpretation of scientists' models, which he acknowledges are not perfect and seem to change often without explanation,” she said. “He has given no consideration to what the effects of this prolonged shutdown have been on small businesses and people who have lost their jobs. His inflexibility shows he is not willing to listen to average Illinoisans who are begging to get back to work.”

Elik said if the governor were serious about truly doing what’s in the best interest of the state, he would pull the plug on his proposed progressive income tax plan.

“The progressive tax proposal should be taken off the ballot, but the governor and the Democrat-controlled legislature have refused to acknowledge the idea that this will further harm small business owners, who have taken the brunt of the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” she said.