State Senator Dale Fowler | Illinois State Senator
State Senator Dale Fowler | Illinois State Senator
The 104th biennial General Assembly is set to convene on January 8, with Senator Dale Fowler participating in the inaugural ceremonies at the State Capitol. This new session presents an opportunity for lawmakers to reflect on past lessons, renew their commitment to addressing current challenges, and embrace new opportunities for Illinois.
Senator Fowler emphasizes the importance of collaboration among Senate members in tackling the state's significant challenges. He highlights the need to avoid partisan conflicts as they work towards solutions.
A major concern is the projected deficit of over $3 billion in Illinois' state budget for the next fiscal year. This shortfall is partly attributed to increased state spending driven by temporary federal funds and Governor JB Pritzker's initiatives. These initiatives include programs such as free healthcare for noncitizens, costing taxpayers more than $1 billion annually. To support these programs, Governor Pritzker recently implemented $1 billion in tax increases.
Senator Fowler urges Governor Pritzker to balance the upcoming budget without further tax hikes, noting that many Illinois residents are already struggling and cannot bear additional financial burdens.
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