The Senate has returned to Springfield for the Spring Legislative Session. After several weeks of filing legislation, we are now moving into the committee process to debate and advance new proposals this session. A few weeks ago, the Governor delivered his annual State of the State and Budget Address, outlining his priorities for the year ahead.
The theme of the speech was affordability. On that point, we agree: affordability must be front and center.
But affordability is not a slogan. It is the reality families and those on fixed incomes confront every single day.
Since Governor Pritzker took office, state spending has increased by roughly 40 percent. Most households in our district have not seen their incomes grow anywhere near that pace. When government grows faster than family budgets, the pressure shows up in higher taxes, rising fees, and increasing everyday costs.
As a mom in a family of five, I see it firsthand. Groceries cost more. Utility bills have climbed. Property taxes remain among the highest in the nation. For seniors and residents living on fixed incomes, those pressures can determine whether they are able to remain in their homes.
That is why I supported strengthening the Senior Property Tax Freeze to help protect retirees from being taxed out of their homes. It was an important step forward, but we cannot stop there.
Illinois homeowners deserve continued relief. Expanding the state’s property tax credit would allow residents to keep more of what they earn. Increasing transparency before property tax increases are approved would give taxpayers a clearer understanding of how their money is spent. And responsible state budgeting can help prevent cost shifts that eventually land on local property tax bills.
A balanced budget requires more than optimistic projections. It requires discipline and honest math. This year’s proposal relies heavily on revenue ideas that have not yet been approved, creating uncertainty for taxpayers and local communities alike.
Affordability also depends on reliable and responsible energy policy. Utility costs are a major expense for households across our district. We must encourage innovation while ensuring accountability.
I passed legislation strengthening financial assurance requirements for oil and gas operators to ensure companies, not taxpayers, are responsible for cleanup and remediation. I have also filed legislation requiring surety bonds for large scale solar developments to protect farmland and guarantee proper decommissioning at the end of a project’s life. In addition, I have supported advancing waste-to-energy technology to create opportunities for innovation while reducing landfill use.
These policies are not about partisanship. They are about protecting taxpayers and promoting long-term stability.
Illinois continues to trail many neighboring states in economic growth and competitiveness. We can’t spend our way to prosperity. Real growth and true affordability come from steady leadership, predictable taxes, responsible spending, smart energy development, and a state government that lives within its means and is open with the people it serves.
When I came to Springfield, I committed to putting taxpayers first. That commitment has not changed. I will continue advocating for practical policies that make Illinois a place where families can afford to stay, businesses can grow, and seniors can retire with security.
