I’m back in Springfield this week for the final week of the spring legislative session. We eagerly await the budget and expect the largest in the state’s history. I want to update you on what’s been going on.
BUDGET/TAXES
Watch Your Wallet as End of Spring Session Nears
With 7 days left in the spring legislative session, there are many important issues to address.
Here’s what Illinoisans are facing:
🚩 No relief for Illinoisans who are being crushed by our state’s burdensome tax rates
🚩 Spending taxpayer dollars on health benefits for illegal immigrants while our most vulnerable citizens struggle
🚩 “Green” energy policies costing residents in rate hikes, causing job losses, and shorting energy generation capacity in Illinois
🚩 Public safety failures due to the broken SAFE-T Act putting Illinois communities at risk
🚩 A lack of ethics reforms that are desperately needed to end public corruption in Illinois
Democrats think more revenue is the answer to all our problems. The truth is, without structural reforms, that revenue will be wasted and our residents will continue to struggle.
House Republicans will serve as a shield for taxpayers and a source of truth for the people of Illinois throughout this budget season and beyond, will not support a budget with ANY tax hikes and will continue to expose bad policy put forth by the majority party.
Rather than cut spending, Democrats push billions in tax hikes to fill budget hole.
With one week to go before the May 31st deadline, Governor JB Pritzker and the Democratic majority are preparing to pass the largest budget in state history.
$55.2 billion, nearly $2 billion more than last year and another record-breaking spending level.
Since Gov. Pritzker took office in 2019, state spending has increased by more than $15 billion ($40 billion to $55.2 billion), a 38% increase in spending.
Illinois is facing a billion-dollar budget deficit for FY 26. Rather than cut wasteful spending, the Democrats’ solution is more taxes!
From resurrecting their failed progressive income tax hike, to the highest service tax in the country, Democrats want to take more money from your pocket to pay for their out-of-control spending.
The Illinois Revenue Alliance aka the “Tax-and-Spend Alliance” recently presented a list of tax hikes that would raise taxes by $6 billion.
$6 billion in new taxes! All to pay for taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants, more pork projects for Democrats, and more wasteful spending. These tax hikes would further damage our economy and drive up the tax burden and cost of living for Illinois families.
On Pritzker’s watch, over $3 billion has been spent on services for migrants and illegal immigrants, while services for our most vulnerable citizens remain chronically underfunded and underserved.
The truth is… the Democrats’ sanctuary state policy has cost Illinois taxpayers billions and made our communities less safe.
With over half-a-million illegal immigrants in Illinois, we should be working with the Trump Administration to deport dangerous criminal aliens. It’s time to end Illinois’ sanctuary state policy!
The State of Illinois should stop providing taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits to illegal immigrants. With a billion-dollar budget deficit, we simply cannot afford this budget buster.
As we approach the end of session, House Republicans are focused on passing a balanced budget that prioritizes the needs of Illinois families over illegal immigrants. And we will continue to stand with hardworking families against any attempt to increase their taxes.
SECOND AMENDMENT
Illinois House Republican lawmakers gathered at the Capitol to show their support for law-abiding gun owners. I joined State Representatives Regan Deering (Decatur) and Patrick Windhorst (Metropolis) spoke on the importance of preserving their Constitutional Right to Bear Arms.
Where I come from, Defending the Second Amendment is not just about talking points, it’s about protecting our very way of life. While Democrats push stricter laws on law-abiding citizens, they also support abolishing cash bail and push soft-on-crime policies that put repeat offenders back on our streets, endangering our families. Illinois Democrats are soft on crime, but tough on gun owners.
Rep. Regan Deering spoke about the importance of advocacy, as hundreds of supporters of the Second Amendment rallied in Springfield during Illinois Gun Owner’s Lobby Day (IGOLD).
“To the advocates, House Republicans see you, support you, and will tirelessly defend you and your constitutional rights,” said Rep. Deering. “By continuing to come after constitutional rights, we are trekking down a treacherous path. The Democrats know this and yet continue to introduce legislation that deteriorates the remaining trust in our government and infringes on our right. That is wrong. These anti-second amendment policies were introduced under the guise of safety, but make no mistake, they are really about controlling more and more of our lives. House Republicans will not stop defending your 2nd Amendment rights.”
State Representative and House Republican Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) serves as the House Republican ranking member on the House Judiciary Criminal Law and Gun Violence Prevention Committees. The 117th District State Representative says policies passed by Illinois Democrats have harmed the rights of law-abiding citizens to practice their Constitutional Rights.
“The people I represent take their responsibility to care for, store, and use their firearms very seriously. Sadly, that fact is often ignored as the supermajority in both chambers of this General Assembly have time and again passed legislation that erodes their Constitutional Right to Bear Arms,” Windhorst said. “I believe that Illinois law runs afoul of the US Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen Decision, which held that gun regulations must align with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. Illinois laws, such as the ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, likely fail this test. Laws that go beyond federal firearm restrictions make for a confusing patchwork of laws that stand in direct conflict with the US Constitution, and we are here today to defend Illinois citizens’ rights to lawfully abide by our Second Amendment and to defend your Right to Bear Arms.”
LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR
I was awarded the Vince Demuzio Legislator of the Year from the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies (IACAA) for 2025. Jessica Backs, Executive Director of BCMW Community Services, presented the award to me. I was chosen for this award in part for my work in restoring funding for area Meals on Wheels programs, which was abruptly suspended late last year leaving thousands of residents without regular hot meals.
“Meier’s leadership was key in securing the funding needed to reopen BCMW’s senior meal sites, making sure our seniors didn’t continue to miss essential meals or the support they count on,” said Backs. “He shows us what it means to meet people where they are and take real steps to make life better for them.”
I’m a farmer, so when I see a problem, I don’t wait around for someone else to solve it. I roll up my sleeves and get to work. When I got a call and heard that Meals on Wheels funding was being held up, I couldn’t sit idly by. I scratched and clawed until the funds our area senior groups were owed were released, and in the meantime, I cooked up a fresh hot meal myself and delivered them to area seniors.
The IACAA is made up of organizations who provide community care, housing aid, and other programs to assist low-income individuals.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
I was honored to be the guest speaker at the Highland VFW’s Memorial Day program. It is a day to remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
I had the honor of emceeing the Nashville, IL Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year banquet honoring Melanie and Mike Caplinger. I brought Melanie and Mike a pie from the farm and figured it was fitting given all the times they’ve satisfied my sweet tooth.
Their family operates the Dairy Queen in Nashville and have been outstanding members of our community for multiple generations. Their parents opened the DQ in the ‘70’s and the sibling duo took over in 2006. Congratulations to Melanie and Mike Caplinger!
I attended the meeting for the Bond County Core Community.
I stopped by the Albers BBQ. Profits from this BBQ goes towards the Albers Blastoff Fireworks.
I stopped by the Melissa Marti Benefit in Greenville. Melissa was injured and lost her home when a tornado came through. It was wonderful to see all the community support.
DOWN ON THE FARM
I harvested the Rhubarb and got it cut up and frozen for future pies.
Thank you for taking time to read Charlie’s CapitolCatch-Up. I will update you as this week progresses with anything that may be of interest to you.