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Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Freeport) argued recently that Illinois lawmakers would rather spend money the state doesn't have and kill business it does have than work on a budget it must have.
“In the past two months, the General Assembly has voted to spend nearly $2 billion,” Stewart wrote in a press release. “And no, these are not appropriations that go to pay down the deficit. These aren’t even funds that take the place of the budget. This is money that will be added to our already $5 billion spending gap.”
In addition to increasing spending, Stewart pointed to several bills, including Senate Bill 1657, that would create a state licensing system for firearms dealers. He said such a measure will only make it harder for small businesses to operate in a state already deemed unfriendly.
Stewart argued that the only businesses doing well in Illinois’ current economic environment are "repo men" and "U-Haul," as residents default on payments or move out of the state.
“This is why I fight so hard against the job killing bills that chase people out of our state,” Stewart wrote. “This is why I oppose spending money that we don’t have. This is why I will continue to demand that our state pass a balanced budget. And this is why I am so passionate about our fiscal crisis. We cannot afford to continue trying the same failed policies and expect some kind of different result. We have to try something different.”
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