GOV Pritzker continues to air budget ideas in Chicago market

Posted on February 4, 2022
It may not be much, but a suspension of the one percent sales tax on groceries and a freeze on the 39-cent tax on a gallon of gas will be a good start for Illinois families, said Gov. JB Pritzker. (Photo Courtesy of Dave Dahl)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD-It may not be much, but a suspension of the one percent sales tax on groceries and a freeze on the 39-cent tax on a gallon of gas will be a good start for Illinois families, said Gov. JB Pritzker in an appearance at a Chicago grocery store two days after he proposed those ideas in his budget speech.

“Any relief we can provide to families is worth giving,” Pritzker said. “People are suffering from higher prices. That includes global oil prices. The only way we are able to do that is by being fiscally responsible.”

And Pritzker had a ready response when reminded the Republicans call his ideas election-year gimmicks.

“Well, this wasn’t a gimmick when Richard Irvin’s running mate proposed precisely this last year,” said Pritzker, referring to State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville), the lieutenant gubernatorial candidate on the “slate” supported by Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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