Speaker of the IL House Welch previews budget address

Governor JB Pritzker is combining his 2022 State of the State and his budget address. With a winter storm dumping a significant amount of snow across central Illinois in the historic Old State Capitol building in downtown Springfield instead of the joint Illinois General Assembly.

Today, the state’s economy is doing reasonably well. The U of I’s Flash Index shows strong growth. Employment is not doing quite as well — “help wanted” signs remain a common sight, and the number of people working has not yet recovered to the level it was at before the pandemic. Nevertheless, Illinois’ tax collections have been strong. So strong that Governor Pritzker is looking to send some of that money back to people in part by suspending the 1% grocery tax, stopping an inflation increase in the gas tax, and offering a property tax rebate of up to $300.

We dedicated the entire hour today to talking about the condition of Illinois and its finances — and how that affects all residents — beginning with the Speaker of Illinois House of Representatives. 

GUEST: 

Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch

Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives (D-Hillside)

Prepared for web by Owen Henderson

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