Weekly Update: 12.13.2025

This week brought more proof that Springfield's priorities are upside down. While the federal government voted to stop taxing tips, Illinois Democrats chose to keep taxing the paychecks of hardworking servers and hospitality workers. At the same time, families are bracing for the newest "Green New Giveaway"-an $8 billion energy rate hike that will send winter heating and holiday lighting costs soaring.

Despite repeated Republican efforts to eliminate the state tax on tips and advance affordable, sustainable energy solutions-including the package I introduced earlier this fall-Democrats blocked every attempt. Illinois families deserve relief, not higher bills and political experiments that make our state less affordable.

-Brad

No Tax on Tips? Not in Illinois

While the new federal rule gives tipped workers a break, Illinois chose to opt out - meaning the state will keep taxing tips.

House Republicans filed multiple bills this year to end the state tax on tips and let workers keep more of what they earn. Democrats blocked every attempt.

And here's the truth: when will Gov. Pritzker figure this out? Confiscating more of people's money is immoral. Letting people keep more of their own earnings grows the economy, not government.

#TaxationIsTheft

Energy Costs Continue to Burden Illinois Families

Thanks to liberal energy policies, energy costs continue to skyrocket for Illinois families. Their latest "Green New Giveaway" just makes matters worse. We need to make Illinois a more affordable place to call home and that begins with implementing sustainable and affordable energy policies.

This fall, I announced an energy package I filed that will tackle sustainability and affordability concerns. Unfortunately, the Democrats refused to take up the pleas of Illinoisans.

Lighting your home for the holidays is about to get a whole lot more expensive - thanks to Illinois Democrats.

Their latest Green New Giveaway slams families and businesses with an $8 BILLION rate hike, guaranteed to send energy bills soaring right as we head into the coldest months of the year.

Illinois families deserve affordable energy - not political experiments that make it harder to keep the lights on.

Illinois Passes Massive Energy Cost Hike

Battery Giveaway

Illinois Democrats just passed an energy package stuffed with massive giveaways to battery-storage companies - and guess who's footing the bill?
Hardworking Illinois families.

We can't afford another reckless green-energy experiment. Illinois needs reliable, affordable, commonsense energy solutions - not politically driven handouts that drive our bills even higher.