Liz Bishop, the Republican nominee for Illinois State Representative in the 76th District, said Illinois’ tax and spending policies are driving up costs for families while pulling focus away from infrastructure priorities in her region.
Bishop issued her comments around Tax Day, using the annual filing deadline to argue that state fiscal decisions are increasing financial pressure on households across north-central Illinois.
“On Tax Day this year, Illinois families are reminded once again that Illinois ultra progressives like Amy ‘Murri’ Briel view taxpayers as an unlimited ATM. They raise taxes, create new fees on everyday life, and bail out Chicago institutions while our local roads crumble and families struggle to make ends meet,” Bishop said.
“Local families shouldn’t have to keep subsidizing Chicago priorities that don’t benefit our district. It’s time to send a strong message in November: Illinois taxpayers will no longer be taken for granted,” she added.
Bishop is running for the Illinois House seat in District 76 in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election, where she faces incumbent Amy Murri Briel. Her campaign website outlines priorities centered on affordability, public safety, and local representation in Springfield, themes echoed in her Tax Day remarks on taxes, spending, and infrastructure investment.
Her statement also referenced ongoing legislative debates in Illinois, including House Bill 4459 in the 104th General Assembly. According to the bill status page, the proposal would require individuals conducting open burns within municipalities or counties to obtain a local permit in addition to any Illinois Environmental Protection Agency authorization. It would also require local governments to establish online systems providing permit information. The measure has drawn opposition from some Republicans and rural residents who argue it could increase regulatory burdens on routine outdoor activities.
Bishop additionally pointed to a $1.5 billion mass transit funding package approved in late 2025 by the Illinois General Assembly. Reporting indicates the legislation was designed to stabilize funding for the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace, while also adjusting revenue streams tied to transportation funding. The plan drew criticism from lawmakers outside the Chicago area, with Bishop using the issue to contrast Chicago-focused spending with infrastructure needs in her own district, according to NBC Chicago.
A retired banker, Bishop previously served as a Republican precinct committeewoman and has been active in local civic and political circles, according to Ballotpedia.
