Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced a package of tax breaks today to help ease inflation. Individuals will be getting $50 rebates, plus $100 per dependent child, up to 3. Plus, the state will suspend the motor fuel tax through the end of the year, and the 1% food tax is paused until next June. And he has more plans to help the strain of inflation, too.
"Even more tax relief will go into effect next year from a permanent increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit and an expansion of the number of households covered by it," Pritzker said. Plus, "Every Illinoisan will get tax relief on essentials: Gas, groceries and your home."
Republicans in the legislature call the breaks an election year gimmick, designed to ease the pain they say democratic policies have caused.
State Representative Will Brown said he's proud of the changes the state is making.
"As democrats we are working really hard to make sure that we are upholding the value of Democrats to support working families," Brown said. "Providing $1.8 million in tax relief is a tremendous feat."