Metro East Sun

On January 27 Rep. Amy Elik was named the Deputy Budgeteer and Rep. Norine Hammond was named the Chief Budgeteer of the Illinois House Republican budget team.

“As a certified public accountant, I know firsthand the importance of good budgeting practices and accountability,” Elik said on January 31. “With inflation seriously impacting every family's household budget, our constituents rely on their elected representatives to enact a state budget that is responsible, balanced and transparent, without gimmicks and shell games. So that state taxes and fees do not cause even greater financial hardships than they are already facing.”

Elik, who is a resident of Fosterburg, was first elected to the Illinois House in 2020. She has experience serving on the Transportation: Regulations, Roads and Revenue and Finance committee. She previously served on the House Republican budget team, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability and other financial committees, according to Rep. Hammond’s website.

Hammond has been a member of the Higher Education Committee and has also advocated for reform and cost cutting measures during her time as a state representative.

“I am pleased that Deputy Leader Norine Hammond has accepted my appointment as Chief Budgeteer. Her in-depth experience in appropriations and policy makes her the perfect candidate for this important role,” House Republican Leader Tony McCombie in a post on Hammond's website. “I have no doubt that she will work tirelessly to ensure that the budget benefits all citizens of Illinois and I look forward to the positive impact her input will have on the state. Furthermore, her dedication to serving the people of Illinois ensures that their needs and concerns will be considered in the budgeting process.”

Elik said that with funding sources related to COVID-19 coming to a close, she fears the “budgetary house of sand” that was created by unchecked spending will crack.

“Increasing revenues have not solved the systemic and structural fiscal issues in the state of Illinois,” Elik said. Democrats have backtracked on some of the most effective tax reform proposals they once promised to support. Democrats reinstated the phased-out repeal of the franchise tax that Republicans negotiated and delayed the implementation of the Republican-led Blue collar jobs act after the voters resoundingly rejected the Democrat's fair tax at the ballot. Now Senate Democrats are working to revive the failed fair tax and other income tax schemes threatening are already frail business climate. Now, we know it's not enough just to oppose bad budgetary ideas. We also need to explain what Republicans stand for.”