Illinois House Republicans announced their opposition to Democratic-backed proposals that would allow a $5 fee on campfires and impose a per-bag charge on carryout bags, saying the measures would increase costs for families across the state.
The topic has drawn attention as lawmakers debate new sources of revenue in Illinois. Supporters of the proposed fees say they are intended to address environmental and fiscal concerns, but Republican legislators argue the changes would further burden residents already facing high taxes.
According to Illinois House Republicans, state Representatives Dave Severin and Kyle Moore spoke against the tax proposals at a press conference. They referenced House Bill 4459, which would allow local governments to impose a $5 fee on open burns, including campfires, and House Bill 5112, which would establish a fee on carryout bags starting at 10 cents and increasing annually to 25 cents. The lawmakers said they oppose the measures.
Illinois ranks ninth among states with the highest per capita tax burden, with residents paying $8,148 annually in state and local taxes. The Illinois Policy Institute reported that since Governor Pritzker took office, the state collects $18 billion more from taxpayers than in 2019, amounting to $1,434 more per resident. Property taxes in Illinois average 2.16 percent of property value, contributing to the overall high tax environment in the region. As reported by 24/7 Wall St.
The Federation for American Immigration Reform estimates that illegal immigration imposes a net cost of $150.7 billion annually on U.S. taxpayers, with major expenses in education and medical care. Nationally, this includes $70 billion for K-12 education and $22 billion for medical expenditures related to illegal immigrants. In Illinois, state spending on noncitizens has totaled nearly $3 billion over the last three years. According to FAIR.
The Illinois House Republican Caucus represents the minority party in the Illinois House of Representatives and advocates for policies supporting families, farmers, and workers. Led by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, the caucus addresses issues such as affordability and economic growth across the state. It operates as the voice for conservative viewpoints in Springfield. According to its official website.
