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* From state Reps. Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham), Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills), Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), Chris Miller (R-Oakland), Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake), Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) and John Cabello (R-Machesney Park)…
Transportation is a vital part of the Illinois economy.
When it comes to Interstate highways, Illinois has the third most Interstates in the nation. New York has 31 Interstates, while California and Texas both have 25. Illinois comes in third with 24 Interstates. There is no question that Illinois, with its location in the center of the country, is a transportation hub in the Midwest.
Funding our roads and infrastructure is important not just to the Illinois economy, but in the national economy as well. Funding transportation needs, though, should be handled responsibly. Unfortunately, Illinois’ track record on responsible spending is abysmal.
Does anyone really trust Springfield politicians to put real priorities over political priorities? We certainly do not.
The Capital plan the House and the Senate approved at the end of the legislative session has very little specifics on where the money is going, while simultaneously doubling the gas tax on poor and middle-class families and raising the license plate renewal by $50 on Illinois drivers. Illinois Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent, and legislators who voted for these tax hikes without specifically knowing how the money would be allocated have done a disservice to these taxpayers.
It is especially discouraging to see many Republican leaders not only vote for these tax increases, but then promote false narratives that are constantly perpetuated by the tax and spend Democrats in order to excuse their votes.
To hear some Republican leaders talk about how we have to raise taxes because Illinois taxpayers don’t currently pay enough to cover our spending programs is shocking. These are Democrat talking points and they are embarrassing. We hear them say, “we haven’t raised the gas tax since 1990.” What they fail to mention is that Illinois taxpayers are already burdened with a gas tax that is top 10 in the nation.
We are willing to work alongside the Republican leaders as we tackle tough issues in the future, but these kinds of policies were exactly what our voters sent us to Springfield to oppose. Illinois taxpayers deserve political leadership that is willing to find solutions that deal with the real underlying issues. Watching as our party blindly accepts that raising taxes is the only way forward is an injustice to the taxpayers and constituents that sent us here, and we won’t be any part of it.
As fiscally responsible Republicans, we should be talking about why the state needs such a higher percentage of our money to deal with infrastructure. Why does it cost so much more per mile to build roads and bridges in Illinois compared to many other states?
Like so often is the case, in Illinois we suffer under heavy mandates and an adversarial regulatory environment that drives costs upward. We have onerous prevailing wage rates and our taxpayers potentially pay up to five times what taxpayers in neighboring Indiana pay for workers’ compensation.
We should be talking about how Illinois taxpayers are getting robbed by Springfield politicians on behalf of the powerful special interests. Why should more taxpayer dollars be spent to prop up special interests? We should be demanding that Springfield prove they can be trusted to deal with the big cost drivers in government. That is the only way to ensure that we are maximizing taxpayer investments. Middle Class taxpayers are being forced to pay more because Springfield politicians will not deal with the tough issues.
The Republican Party is supposed to be the party of fiscal responsibility. If infrastructure is indeed the priority everyone says that it is – then why are we not budgeting for it every year instead of coming around every decade with a massive spending proposal that is funded by borrowing and tax increases?
The truth is we can’t budget for this every year because the state is saddled with debt from unpaid bills, excessive mandates, job-killing regulations, crushing pension and Medicaid burdens, and record setting numbers of government taxing bodies. Once we deal with these issues, then we will be able to properly get our funding priorities in line.
Instead, we hear career politicians opining about how courageous they are to take more of our hard-earned money to pay for their mismanagement and out of control spending. We are told that raising taxes is, “a tough but necessary vote.”
Raising taxes in Illinois is not courageous. It is just business as usual in Illinois.
Select Republicans may have curried temporary favor with the Springfield Special Interests with this vote, but it has come at the high cost of losing credibility with the middle-class taxpayers.
Speaker Madigan, Governor Pritzker and the special interests can chalk up a big win by getting some Republican leaders to recite their talking points and vote for another tax increase without specific and measurable reforms.
Once again, Democrats feast like Kings while “Republicans” are happy begging for the crumbs and the persecuted Illinois taxpayers take yet another uppercut to the gut.
We probably shouldn’t get all too worked up about this. It’s one of the oldest plays in the book. Scream about the taxes to appease the folks back home, then gleefully spend the money… to appease the folks back home.
I remember hearing Gov. George Ryan pitch a fit after he passed his Illinois FIRST plan about how then Rep. Jack Franks loudly spoke against the taxes to fund the $12 billion program but, he said, was the first guy in his office with his hand out for projects.
And the “We need to take care of all of our problems before we do infrastructure” argument is also as old as the hills. But if we waited to do that, our infrastructure would be in far worse shape than it is now. It’s been ten years since the last capital bill and every day we wait is another day the tab grows ever larger - exactly like the pension problem.
* But this letter is different than past blow-ups because the signatories are obviously targeting House GOP Leader Jim Durkin. They’re basically calling Durkin and the 19 other HGOPs who voted for the tax hikes sell-outs. We haven’t really seen that before.
I asked Rep. Wilhour whether they were calling for Durkin to step down. “Speaking for myself at the moment, the Leader Durkin issue is a 2020 deal,” he said.
Stay tuned.
…Adding… From the guy who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to defeat Durkin in the 2018 GOP primary…
Are there any legislative Republicans in IL willing to take on the Bipartisan Combine (H/T @John_Kass)? Yes. There at least 8, but that's not going to be enough. https://t.co/wV0Mfxo7gi
— Dan Proft (@DanProft) June 13, 2019
*** UPDATE *** This almost seems like a direct response to the missive above…
On Friday, June 14 at 7:30 AM, State Representative Avery Bourne (R- Raymond) and other Illinois lawmakers will do a site visit to inspect infrastructure improvement work being done at the intersection of IL Route 4 and Divernon Road south of Auburn. The legislators will review the progress of the $4.68 million project and discuss the importance of Illinois’ renewed commitment to improving Illinois’ roads. The project site is part of a 6.3-mile section of road that is being improved on IL Route 4 from just south of IL 104 in Auburn to the Macoupin County line, and from the Sangamon County line to north of George Street in Virden.
Bourne supported the final deal.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:29 am
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Didn’t Alabama and some other GOP-controlled states recently increase their motor fuel taxes as well, and for the same reason that Illinois just did?
Comment by cover Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:32 am
Just because two states above you have the same amount more doesn’t mean you can pretend one doesn’t exist. We have the 4th most not the 3rd. New York is first. California and Texas tied for 2nd and Illinois is 4th. Not 3rd
Comment by Seats Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:33 am
Has anyone reminded them that they too are Springfield politicians?
== Does anyone really trust Springfield politicians to put real priorities over political priorities? We certainly do not. ==
Comment by Shytown Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:36 am
Incoherent rambling, not sure if they even know what their message is.
Comment by Not again Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:38 am
Wonder if any of them bothered to check what the math on having the tax from 1990 tied to inflation would have resulted in.
Comment by Fixer Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:40 am
Dan Caulkins will proudly stand up and announce a $50,000 for a local organization from the state yet puts his name to this. Spin, spin, spin.
Comment by OurMagician Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:40 am
Party of responsibility? Did they live through the Rauner years? Are they aware of the balooning national debt?
Comment by Oh? Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:41 am
Rauner’s ghost wanders the land. Forgot to use the word, “transformative”.
Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:43 am
-Why does it cost so much more per mile to build roads and bridges in Illinois compared to many other states?-
This is a very good question. Why? Why is it acceptable ?
Comment by Steve Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:48 am
8 state representatives craft and release a letter written at a 9th grade level. Why are “Taxpayer” and “Interstate” and “Kings” randomly capitalized? Do they not understand how proper nouns work? An “uppercut to the gut”? Were they just going for alliteration? Because that’s also not how boxing works, unless you’re fighting someone bent over at a 90 degree angle.
Time to increase education funding again.
Comment by PJ Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:50 am
Gleefully spend the money that is half of what the Democrat legislators received
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:51 am
“Why does it cost so much more per mile to build roads and bridges in Illinois compared to many other states?”
That’s a great question, but just asking the question isn’t helpful. So what do these legislators claim that the answer to that question is?
And how do either they or we intend to fix it?
Comment by Odysseus Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:54 am
“Frankly my dear I don’t give a damn, I don’t care if the whole city burns”
Comment by Southern Illinois Mayor Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:56 am
I find it hard to believe that Jack Franks was a duplicitous grandstander.
Comment by The Captain Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:00 pm
Odysseus, I think they gave their answer in the article. It’s all construction workers’ fault. They get paid too well and they cost too much when they get injured. See this sentence:
“We have onerous prevailing wage rates and our taxpayers potentially pay up to five times what taxpayers in neighboring Indiana pay for workers’ compensation.”
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:00 pm
I’m with Southern Illinois Mayor… I suppose the Mayor and I aren’t adding to the conversation. However, it does remind of the time he and I argued about who would pick up the bar tab…on the Titanic….
Comment by Lane Change Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:07 pm
It is a shame that progress can’t champion perfect. Until then I worry Illinois won’t have the balance it needs via a Republican Party.
Comment by Ed Equity Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:13 pm
==What they fail to mention is that Illinois taxpayers are already burdened with a gas tax that is top 10 in the nation.==
That may be true now, but it certainly was not the case before the gas tax was increased.
https://www.taxadmin.org/assets/docs/Research/Rates/mf.pdf
(Illinois is one of the few states that applies its sales tax to gasoline purchases, but that’s a sales tax, not a gas tax.)
Comment by Dan Vock Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:14 pm
Right wingers are trying to eliminate any semblance of a moderate ILGOP. Please proceed, and good luck winning back the GA and statewide offices.
Illinois is a pro-union state in which trade workers and public employees are paid well. We are a higher-income state. Our state income tax has been relatively low for decades. Those who don’t like it can leave and go to a lower-tax state—but incomes will be lower too, so it kind of balances out.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:15 pm
=I’m with Southern Illinois Mayor… I suppose the Mayor and I aren’t adding to the conversation. However, it does remind of the time he and I argued about who would pick up the bar tab…on the Titanic….+
So you are saying the two of you are not smart enough to get off of a sinking ship? Good to know.
I would love for the super-minority’s super minority to present a plan with details on how to fix things and pay the bills.
Obviously that kind of thinking would hurt them so just little hissy fits from time to time instead.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:15 pm
Conclusion: “An assortment of variables factor into highway construction costs, including geography, population density, and design standards. Despite clear patterns emerging that connect high density and urban areas with higher costs, the same conclusion is not evident when considering the hourly wages of operating engineers and highway maintenance workers. In general, it is difficult to provide an exact comparison of construction costs between states due to varying geography and needs; however, this report provides a foundation to understand construction spending throughout the nation.”
https://midwestepi.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/cost-per-lane-mile-nationally-and-in-the-midwest-updated-final.pdf
Comment by very old soil Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:18 pm
===I find it hard to believe that Jack Franks was a duplicitous grandstander. ===
Best comment of the day.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:19 pm
One of my favorite former Legislators always referred to Franks as “The Bloviator in Chief”.
I always thought that the terrific Ann Richards line suited him well . . . . . .”born on third base, thinks be big a triple”.
Comment by Dude Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:27 pm
It must be so hard to be so wrong all the time.
Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:28 pm
should be - . . . .” Born on third base, thinks he hit a triple”
Comment by Dude Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 12:29 pm
- Seats - Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 11:33 am:
Just because two states above you have the same amount more doesn’t mean you can pretend one doesn’t exist. We have the 4th most not the 3rd. New York is first. California and Texas tied for 2nd and Illinois is 4th. Not 3rd
—————–
Although some have questioned why one of our 24 interstates, I-180 to Hennepin, was even built. Even though it was for the former LTV steel mill.
Although through the years there had been plans and talk of I-180 going all the way to Peoria. Likely meeting up with the IL-6 interstate quality bypass on the northwest side of Peoria, which ends near the Mossville Caterpillar plant. I wish this would have happened.
Comment by Leatherneck Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 1:19 pm
We used to call it the “wing nut caucus”. Proft will spend all his time trying to beat Republicans in order to add to the wing nut caucus. It’s a strategy that has to thrill the Democrats.
Comment by Mr. Chairman Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 1:27 pm
It’s great that the “heck No on Everything Caucus” wants to “Inspect” infrastructure improvements but since none of them have ever soiled their suits working road construction maybe they should drop the free press and get out of the way while the professionals get some work done.
Comment by The Real Captain Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 1:40 pm
Leatherneck 180 is a source of great entertainment and debate among road geeks. There is such a thing. An extension was part of the supplementary freeway system. Then ….
Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 1:42 pm
===“heck No on Everything Caucus” wants to “Inspect” infrastructure improvements===
Bourne was a Yes vote.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 1:43 pm
“…get out of the way while the professionals get some work done.”
Because, of course, the reason we make capital expenditures is to keep those “professionals” working, eh?
Comment by PrairieDog Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 1:43 pm
IDOT considered making it 3 lane then studied a Peoria Chicago route then did a 2009 4 lane study.
Then nothing so they would need a new study.
Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 1:44 pm
Forgot to use the word, “transformative”.
I thought it was “Pineapple”
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 1:52 pm
==What they fail to mention is that Illinois taxpayers are already burdened with a gas tax that is top 10 in the nation.==
It’s a “free market economy”, don’t buy it if you don’t like the price.
Comment by Deadbeat Conservative Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 1:54 pm
So Proft is against the capital bill and Sweeney helped push it through. Now how does that duo work together in the future like they did against Durkin last election.
as the old saying goes politics makes strange bed fellows.
Comment by Life Long R Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 1:59 pm
===Now how does that duo work together in the future like they did against Durkin last election.
as the old saying goes politics makes strange bed fellows. ===
You just answered your own question.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 2:00 pm
I guess my comment was more to the idea that some of us have worked on a four-lane project that would affect many across Miller, Bailey, and Wilhour’s districts. I suspect we won’t have to worry much about that any more. They don’t care if things don’t happen in their district, it plays to their narrative. The only rep that votes yay, was Meier, so I suspect the western side might get some love.
Comment by Southern Illinois Mayor Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 2:00 pm
===don’t buy it if you don’t like the price===
C’mon, man. If you don’t live in an area with mass transit and you can’t afford a newer low mileage car, that’s not an option.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 2:03 pm
=Just because two states above you have the same amount more doesn’t mean you can pretend one doesn’t exist. We have the 4th most not the 3rd. New York is first. California and Texas tied for 2nd and Illinois is 4th. Not 3rd=
Can you post a link for this please? I had always heard third.
Comment by Former State Worker Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 2:05 pm
What Seats said at 11:33… 100 times
Comment by ajjacksson Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 2:11 pm
Did the pet project list ever get leaked? I’d love to see what they are willing to spend the money on, but not want to pay for.
Comment by Person 8 Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 2:12 pm
Do we have a road project list besides District 7?That is the road list as opposed to the pet project list.
Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 2:33 pm
It’s ironically delicious that most of the HGOP members doing the Kass/edit board’s bidding are the HGOP members who wouldn’t touch a Chicago Tribune endorsement with a 10-foot pole. #BecauseChicago.
The worst thing the Trib could to for Rep. Blaine is endorse him.
“Major Chicago media backs Effingham Republican.”
Can’t wait.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 2:40 pm
Former state Worker - in regards to a source link on Illinois having the 4th most instead of 3rd most the information is coming from the first paragraph of press release in this story where it says
New York has 31. Texas and California 25. Illinois 24.
Comment by Seats Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:42 pm
Indiana’s gas tax is 42.9 cents per gallon, according to USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/02/05/gas-tax-state-what-costs-fill-up-your-car-across-country/38908491/
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:53 pm
Rich, please delete my previous, as I can’t figure out how USA Today came up with its numbers.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:59 pm
Interesting article. Apparently everybody’s raising the gas tax
https://itep.org/most-states-have-raised-gas-taxes-in-recent-years-0419/
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:02 pm
Citing the number of interstates sounded weird. The numbers cited are correct but I would suggest that the miles of interstate highways is what matters. And Illinois is #2 with 2203.42 miles-second to Texas which has 3501.15. New York has 1730.34.
https://www.interstate-guide.com/state-index/
Comment by very old soil Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:37 pm
take away all the money for district 7 divide it equally with the other districts also cut all other funding maybe voters will wake up and smell the coffee someday
Comment by leonard Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 7:00 pm
Durkin provided Prizker with some bipartisan cover for 2020, but I don’t think it really matters in the long run. The only thing that is going to help the GOP is a scandal or a really unpopular law. I do think that Durkin needs to make sure that Madigan is making all the Democrats support a law before offering any bipartisan support.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 7:28 pm
The members who signed this letter should get ZERO fundraising assistance from Durkin and HRO. By the way, every person signing onto this letter taking on the “springfield politicians is a “springfield politician.” Are their constituents really that dumb?
Comment by Threat level midnight Friday, Jun 14, 19 @ 7:24 am