Sen. Oberweis: Action needed to improve 'State of State'

SPRINGFIELD – Action, not just rhetoric, is needed to improve the “State of the State” and State Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) says lawmakers must get to work to restore Illinois’ fiscal responsibility and fundamentally change the way state government operates.

Oberweis was reacting to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s first official “State of the State” address, delivered to a joint session of Illinois lawmakers Jan. 29 in the House of Representatives chambers.

“The Governor gave his assessment of how Illinois is doing in the second year of his Administration. As I see it, we have a number of challenges like corruption, a need for property tax reform, and giving the people of Illinois – not just the politicians – a voice in the process of drawing legislative maps. But we cannot rely on their worn-out ideas of more taxes and more spending,” Oberweis said. “The time for talk is done. Let’s get to work.”

The 25th District Senator said he stands ready to work with Gov. Pritzker and his fellow lawmakers to promote the kind of economic climate that encourages job creation and growth.

“We need to learn from the success stories across our nation. Tax cuts and fewer burdensome regulations are helping businesses grow. Unemployment is down, and the stock market is setting records,” Oberweis said. “This is the model we need to follow. Economic growth means more jobs and more revenue for the state, WITHOUT tax increases.”

Gov. Pritzker is expected to present his Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Address Feb. 19.

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