Syverson: Working families hit under largest tax hike in Illinois history

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Senate on Saturday pushed through the largest tax hike in state history, despite opposition from State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford), all Republican lawmakers and a handful of Democrats. The $7 billion tax hike, contained in House Bill 174, would raise the income tax rate from 3 percent to 5 percent – a 67 percent increase. It also imposes 39 new taxes on a wide range of services, including dry cleaning, bowling, pet grooming, amusement parks admissions, oil changes, and movie theaters. “This tax hike will devastate working families who are already struggling to survive the economic slump,” Syverson said. “Not only will they face higher income taxes, but many of their everyday activities will also cost more. We should be doing more to help families and taxpayers, rather than slapping them with draconian tax hikes.” Syverson noted the tax hike vote came without any prior spending cuts or fiscal reforms. As a member of the Senate’s Deficit Reform Committee, Syverson looked at various ways to cut spending and reform the state budget, ranging from Medicaid reforms to government cost-savings. “Citizens are rightly outraged by this proposed tax hike,” Syverson said. “Instead of cutting spending and reforming the state budget, just as families across Illinois have been forced to do, they are hinging this budget on new taxes. That’s unfair and an affront to the hard working people of the state.”...

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Senate Okays New Judge For Rockford Area

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) says state-line courts could get some extra help in expediting cases, under a measure passed by the Illinois Senate.

Senate Bill 1938, co-sponsored by Syverson, adds an associate judge to the 17th Circuit Judicial Court, which oversees cases in Winnebago and Boone counties. ...

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Syverson: Capital Plan Details Emerge

The Rockford area would fare well under a statewide capital construction plan being developed by state lawmakers, according to State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford).

The Rockford Senator said many key state-line priorities would be funded under the proposal, which is in its final stages of discussions. Among the projects expected to be funded under the plan are reconstruction work on Illinois Route 173, North and South Main Street, West State Street and the Morgan Street bridge....

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Bipartisan Coalition Urges Help For Manufacturers

SPRINGFIELD, IL – A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is urging the General Assembly to pass critical assistance for struggling manufacturers. On Tuesday, State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) joined Republican and Democratic legislators from around Illinois in calling for the restoration of $2 million in funds for the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC), a non-profit organization that helps manufacturers contain costs, improve efficiency and create quality jobs....

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Syverson Urges Support for Rockford Tea Party

State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) expressed his support on Monday for efforts by local residents to stage a tea party to protest high taxes and out-of-control government spending.

The Rockford tea party is being held on Tuesday, April 14 behind the Rockford Public Library on Wyman Street. Government spending and taxation has gotten out-of-control, Syverson said. The voters have to get engaged in their government, otherwise they will lose more and more control and face a government broken and bankrupt by the poor fiscal policies we've seen both on the state and federal levels....

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