By GREG BISHOP 

Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he will veto a budget if it has broad tax increases that impact working families.

Earlier in the day Wednesday, Republican state Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said being a taxpayer in Illinois during budget season is like being forced to watch a car crash over and over again, knowing what is going to happen.

“We all know what the rumors are through their tax increases, tax increases on digital advertising, tax increases on business taxes, on everyday services, on everyday people, haircuts, lawn mowing, garbage services, the like.”

After an unrelated event Wednesday, Pritzker was asked if he’d support a budget with a service tax included.

“Anything that’s broad based and that would have a negative impact on working families, I would veto a budget like that,” Pritzker told members of the media.

With just three days left before the May 31 deadline for Illinois legislators to approve a budget, details have still not surfaced.

On the House floor, Halbrook also said taxpayers and even legislators are still in the dark about how their money will be spent for the coming fiscal year that starts July 1.

“There are 118 members in this chamber, and probably 80% of all of us, including those on the other side of the aisle, have no idea what is actually going to be in this budget,” he said.
Pritzker said he’s been in talks with legislative leaders about the budget.

“So we don’t sit idle, as you may know, in the month of May, especially, virtually every day I talk to someone both in the Democratic or the Republican caucus,” Pritzker said. “Even if they don’t intend to vote for a budget in the end, there are things, good ideas, I’ve often said come from Republicans, too. And so we want to make sure that those are included.”

Legislators return to the capitol Thursday. The end of session is Saturday, the deadline to approve a budget with simple majorities.