This week Senate President Don Harmon said he is not interested in bringing back the progressive income tax amendment for another run in the 2022 election. 

That’s the good news. The bad news is efforts are underway to enact other tax increases, particularly on businesses. Illinois is one of the highest taxed states in the nation. We don’t need tax increases. We need spending reforms.

This week’s newsletter highlights a statement from the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association calling for sensible tax policies; a bill requiring ultrasounds to be offered at abortions clinics and some phishing, scam e-mails being circulated. 

As always if you have any questions, feel free to email me or call my office at 217-774-1306.

Sincerely,

Brad Halbrook

Time to end policies that hurt economic growth

The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association says the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which includes money for state governments, should mean the end of onerous taxes on Illinois employers.

I heartily agree. Josh Sharp, CEO of Illinois Fuel and Retail Association, issued a statement saying: “These latest actions out of Washington are good news for so many small businesses and families in Illinois and across the country who have been devastated by job loss and a lack of economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. I encourage Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his team to move quickly to ensure these funds reach the people they were designed to help. But I also call on the Governor to use this good news for Illinois to officially end any policies that would punish the very people the federal aid is supposed to support.”

Now is not the time to raise taxes on businesses that have been hit hard by government mandated lockdowns. We need to encourage economic growth – not adopt policies that will hurt our economic recovery.

To learn more, Click Here: 

 https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/03/fuel-and-retail-association-calls-on-pritzker-to-end-any-policies-hurting-small-businesses.html

Bill would require abortion clinics to offer ultrasounds

Abortion clinics would be required to offer patients the opportunity to view an ultrasound under legislation pending in the House Human Services Committee. 

House Bill 683 would create the Ultrasound Opportunity Act. It would require attending physicians, referring physicians or other qualified personnel to offer any woman seeking an abortion after 8 weeks of gestation the opportunity to receive and view an active ultrasound prior to an abortion being performed. 

This bill is not a mandate that ultrasounds be provided. It merely requires one to be offered. This is a common-sense bill. Pro-choice advocates say they are all about choice. So, here is a bill that helps women make better informed choices. It is my hope that this legislation will receive strong bipartisan support. 

House Bill 683 has been introduced and awaits a hearing in the House Human Services Committee.

Fraud Alert: Phishing Emails

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) was made aware of new phishing attacks targeting Illinoisans. Bad actors posing as IDES representatives are sending emails to victims, designed to trick Illinoisans into disclosing their personal information. These scams falsely advertise an increase in weekly benefits. It is critical for claimants and victims of fraud to remain vigilant to detect fraudulent correspondence: 

• Follow steps from the FTC to recognize and avoid phishing scams. The examples below include tell-tale signs of a phishing scam, such as referring to the “Division of Employment Security” as opposed to the “Department of Employment Security” and arriving from an untrustworthy email address. 
• Strengthen and protect account information. Claimants should ensure they maintain a strong password, and never share their personal information with an untrustworthy source. 

Additional tips are available on IDES’s fraud webpage:  

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