Republican Senators Warn $6 Billion in New Taxes Will Devastate Illinois’ Small Business Community
In the midst of National Small Business Week, Senate Republicans joined together to sound the alarm over a new proposal from Governor JB Pritzker’s Democratic allies to raise taxes by $6 billion, warning that the move would devastate Illinois’ already struggling small business community. The proposed tax hikes come on the heels of a $1 billion increase enacted this year to support record-high state spending in the current budget.
Despite the burdens placed on hardworking Illinoisans, Democrat lawmakers are now considering new taxes that would hit local employers even harder, including a digital advertising tax that penalizes small businesses trying to reach customers online, and a corporate income tax increase that targets those already operating on tight margins.
State Senator Terri Bryant argues that when state leaders choose tax hikes and policies that stifle growth, it’s working families who suffer the consequences. She adds that it is time to stop forcing small businesses and working families to foot the bill for the Governor’s out-of-control spending, including hundreds of millions of dollars in expanded benefits for non-citizens.
Senators also pointed to broken promises from Governor Pritzker, including his decision to reinstate the franchise tax after a bipartisan agreement was reached in 2019 to phase it out. That reversal, Republicans argue, further undermines trust in state leadership and contributes to an unpredictable, anti-growth climate.
As budget negotiations for Fiscal Year 2026 continue, Senate Republicans are calling on Democratic lawmakers to reject Governor Pritzker’s tax-and-spend agenda and work together to pass a responsible, balanced budget.
Senate Republicans Push Back Against Estate Tax Hike, Fight to Protect Family Farms
As Democrats in Springfield push to lower the state’s estate tax exemption from $4 million to $2 million, Illinois Senate Republicans are raising serious concerns about the impact on small, family-owned farms and businesses that already struggle under one of the highest tax burdens in the nation.
Lowering the threshold would mean more grieving families would be forced to pay hefty taxes simply for inheriting land or assets that have been in their families for generations. For many farm families, this could result in the forced sale of farmland or equipment just to cover the tax bill, putting the future of their operations at risk.
Senate Republicans have long pushed to either phase out or raise the exemption threshold to better align with federal policy and reduce the burden on family-owned enterprises.
State Senator Terri Bryant says these reforms are necessary to protect Illinois’ agricultural legacy and prevent the government from punishing families simply for trying to pass their land or business down to the next generation.
While Democrats continue to push for more government spending funded by new taxes, Senate Republicans are focused on protecting working families and preserving the values that keep Illinois communities strong.
Legislation to Ban Glocks Punishes the Lawful, Not the Criminals
Illinois Democrats have introduced legislation that would effectively ban the sale of certain handguns to civilians, sparking serious concerns among Second Amendment supporters.
House Bill 4045 and its companion, Senate Bill 2652, would make it a felony to manufacture, sell, or transfer pistols deemed “convertible,” a label aimed at Glock handguns that criminals have illegally modified with auto-switch devices. The device modifications are done to convert handguns into fully automatic weapons.
Proponents of the legislation claim it is intended to address criminal misuse of auto-switch devices. However, these devices are already banned under both state and federal law. Senate Republicans argue that rather than cracking down on the criminals who break existing laws, the new proposals would target responsible gun owners and licensed firearm dealers.
State Senator Terri Bryant says that the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that bans on commonly owned handguns violate the Constitution. She contends that this proposal appears to be a backdoor attempt to sidestep that ruling and further restrict the rights of responsible gun owners who follow the law.
National Women’s Health Week
Starting each year on Mother’s Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health leads National Women’s Health Week (NWHW). This year, NWHW will be observed from May 11–17, focusing on raising awareness of women’s health issues and encouraging women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
National Women’s Health Week 2025 encourages women to focus on their health, focusing on both mind and body.
The 2025 observance focuses on three key areas of women’s health:
- Menopause – Promoting awareness and support for women navigating this natural life transition.
- Mental Health – Encouraging open conversations and access to resources for emotional well-being.
- Cancer – Stressing the importance of prevention, early detection, and treatment, particularly for cancers that predominantly affect women.