State Representative Charlie Meier voted against the State of Illinois Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, according to a statement released on June 1. Meier said he opposed the budget because it represents a record level of spending and includes new taxes.
“I voted no on this record-breaking, tax-hiking budget because it puts the Democratic political agenda ahead of the people of Illinois. Democrats once again broke their promises and abandoned our local workshops, did nothing to provide meaningful tax relief, and created a slew of new taxes to fuel their spending spree while sending Illinois consumers to our neighboring states to spend their hard-earned money,” Meier said.
Meier also criticized allocations in the budget for increasing funding for programs supporting immigrants and providing another pay raise for politicians. “At the same time, this budget pours hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into programs for immigrants, gives politicians another pay raise, and is packed with Democratic pet projects while hardworking taxpayers are left footing the bill. As I have done in years past, I will donate this pay raise back to local organizations,” he said.
He added that many residents are frustrated by rising costs without corresponding benefits: “Illinoisans are tired of being asked to pay more and get less. What’s good for the goose should be good for the gander, but in Illinois, taxpayers are expected to tighten their belts while politicians continue spending without restraint. That double standard is exactly why I voted no.”
Meier was elected as a Republican representative in 2023 to serve Illinois’ 109th House District after replacing David Reis, according to CharlieMeier.net.
The 109th District covers portions of Bond, Clinton, Madison, St. Clair, and Washington counties.
