Last week, I told you about the higher charges going into effect for sports wagering due to the new state budget which Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed in June. The budget spends a record-setting amount — $55.2 billion — and required around $1 billion in new taxes in order to cover it all. With the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, numerous other new taxes are now in effect in Illinois. I voted “no.”
The tax on cell phone service has now increased to 8.65%, up from 7%. Illinoisans already pay the highest wireless taxes in the country, and now we are going to have to pay even more.
The Illinois hotel operators’ occupation tax will now apply to services like Airbnb and Vrbo, meaning that those who travel to Illinois will have to pay more out-of-pocket for their lodging.
Illinoisans will see an increase in the wholesale tax on tobacco products from the old level of 36% up to a new level of 45%.
Other proposed tax hikes, like adding a $1.50 delivery tax on nearly every package shipped to Illinois homes, did not make it through the process but could be seen in the fall session or next spring.
Illinois’ state government continues to spend more and tax more, while refusing to act to help with the struggles of working families. During the spring session, we proposed tax relief measures to protect family farms, for example, but our proposals were not allowed to be brought up for a vote. Instead, the state fell back on a continuation of the old, tax-and-spend policies.
Illinois’ first human West Nile case of 2025 confirmed
The first human case of West Nile Virus in Illinois was recently confirmed — a patient in the southern part of the state who had to be hospitalized because of complications with the infection.
This is the earliest reported case of the illness in Illinois since 2016. West Nile is spread by mosquito bites and is particularly dangerous to seniors and those who are immunocompromised. Symptoms of West Nile include headaches, nausea, muscle aches and fever, and usually last a few days or in some cases a few weeks. Some people will not show any symptoms at all, but in a few cases it can lead to severe illness.
While this was the first human case, West Nile has been detected in mosquitos in 19 counties throughout Illinois, including Grundy. Last year the state had just under 70 human cases and the disease was detected in mosquitos in 72 counties.
The Department of Public Health encourages Illinoisans to prevent West Nile by making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and that damaged screens are repaired or replaced. Eliminate sources of standing water where mosquitos can breed. Wear shoes and socks outdoors, long pants and light-colored, long-sleeved shirt, while using appropriate insect repellents.
Happy Fourth of July!
I hope that you and your family had a very happy Fourth of July! Recently, the state fire marshal’s office issued a reminder to those sponsoring fireworks displays to remember to put safety first and to be sure their fireworks vendors have all the required state licenses and certificates. The fire marshal also advises that handheld fireworks such as firecrackers, roman candles and bottle rockets are not approved for sale or use in Illinois.
Our current bill backlog
When a vendor provides the state with goods and services, they submit the bill to the Illinois comptroller for payment. The comptroller processes the paperwork and pays the bill when funds are available in the state’s checking account.
Currently, the total amount of unpaid bills is $1,242,043,764. This figure changes daily. Last year at this time the state had $840 million in bills awaiting payment. This only includes bills submitted to the comptroller for payment, not unfunded debts like the state’s pension liability, which is well over $100 billion.