Senator Craig Wilcox’s Capitol Report

Illinois Brings in Record-High Revenue and STILL Hikes Taxes in New Budget

Democrat lawmakers approved another record-high budget this year, even after the state collected the highest amount of revenue in Illinois history last year (a record $54 billion in tax revenue). The new spending plan includes nearly $1 billion in additional tax hikes and a series of short-term budget gimmicks that Republican lawmakers say point to a serious spending problem in Springfield.

Over the past six years, government spending under Governor Pritzker has ballooned by 37%. Has your family’s income grown by 37% over the last six years? Of course not.

Despite the record-breaking revenue stream, Democrat lawmakers still pushed for more during the most recent spring legislative session, floating a list of tax proposals that would have affected people across the state. Tax ideas discussed included a $1.50 delivery tax on everything from groceries to baby formula, a tax on everyday services, like car repairs or haircuts, and a mom-and-pop digital ad tax that would have punished small, family-owned businesses. While those ideas did not make it into the final budget, Republican lawmakers warn that they are still under consideration by Democrats.

Instead of asking for more from taxpayers, Governor Pritzker and his Democrat allies need to get serious about responsible budgeting, living within their means and protecting taxpayers.

Senator Wilcox Meets with Antioch Chamber of Commerce Members

I want to thank the Antioch Chamber of Commerce for allowing me to provide a legislative update to members last week. We had a productive conversation about the challenges small businesses are facing and how I can best advocate for them at the Capitol.

I truly enjoy meeting with business owners and other small groups when I am not in Springfield. The conversations help me craft my legislative agenda and provide wonderful platforms for two-way communication.

Upcoming Events in the 32^nd District

My Conversations Untapped events kick off this week with an event at Spirit Water in Cary. Please stop by, enjoy a locally-brewed beverage, and have some casual conversation with your State Senator. Here is a rundown of my upcoming outreach events across the District:

• July 15: Conversations Untapped, Spirit Water Brewery, Distillery, and Taproom, 3300 Three Oaks Road, Cary, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
• July 23: Conversations Untapped, Rivalry Ale House, 945 Main Street, Antioch, IL, 5:30PM – 7:00PM
• August 16: Document Shredding Event, Office of State Rep. Steve Reick, 1072 Lake Avenue, Woodstock, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• August 21: Barks & Brews Pet Adoption Event, Kishwaukee Brewing, 1900 Dillard Court, Woodstock, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
• August 28: Conversations Untapped, Harbor Viewing Company, 136 Cedar Avenue, Lake Villa, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
• September 17: IPASS on Demand, Lake Villa District Library, 140 N. Munn Road, Lindenhurst, 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
• October 14: Senior Resource Fair, Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 IL-176, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

New events are added regularly, so please visit the Events page of my website regularly to be kept up to date about events taking place near you.

Still Time to Take Wilcox Summer Survey

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to fill out my 2025 Summer Survey.  I am still gathering input and suggestions about issues just approved and other topics that remain unresolved in Springfield. Your opinions are very valuable, so if you haven’t taken the survey yet, I hope you will take a few minutes to participate.

My 2025 Summer Survey offers constituents an opportunity to weigh in on a variety of topics, including the budget, the proposed $1.50 delivery tax and other proposed tax increases, illegal immigration, and more. The survey also provides space where you can offer suggestions on how we can work together to make Illinois the best it can be.

Click here to access the survey. Paper copies are available at my office in Woodstock.

How to Submit a Witness Slip on the New ILGA Website

On July 1, the Illinois General Assembly launched a major update to its website, www.ilga.gov, marking the most significant redesign in nearly two decades.

While the new layout is more modern and mobile-friendly, it also comes with some changes that may affect how constituents engage with the legislative process.

One of the most important tools available to the public is the witness slip, which allows individuals to express support or opposition to specific bills being heard in committee. If you want your opinion on a bill officially recorded, understanding the new process is essential.

Here is a quick guide to filing a witness slip under the new system:

1. Go to www.ilga.gov
2. Navigate to either the Senate Schedules or the House Schedules
3. Under Hearing Schedules, select the Today, Week, or Month tab
4. Click on Details for the hearing you’re interested in
5. Select Create Witness Slip
6. Fill out the required fields and submit

Senate Republicans have also put together a short video walkthrough to help guide you through the new process. You can watch that video here.

Submitting a witness slip is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make your voice heard in Springfield. Whether you are supporting a bill that impacts your community or speaking out against a proposal you believe would cause harm, your input matters.

Witness slips can only be filed when a bill is assigned to be heard in a committee.

July is Extreme Heat Safety Month

July is recognized as Extreme Heat Safety Month, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are teaming up together to highlight the importance of staying safe during high temperatures. 

IEMA-OHS is urging residents to recognize the serious risks that extreme heat poses to you, your family, and your pets. Extreme heat is defined as prolonged periods (at least 2-3 days) of high temperatures over 90 degrees, often combined with high humidity. 

Here are some ways IEMA-OHS recommends you stay safe during the extreme weather: 

• Hydrate with water, not caffeinated or alcoholic beverages 
• Wear light-colored, lightweight, and loose-fitting clothing 
• Avoid strenuous activity during midday 
• Use awnings or curtains indoors to deflect the sun 
• Fans will move air around, but they do not lower the temperature 
• Use air conditioning inside your home or visit a store or local mall 
• Know your local cooling centers in Illinois 
• Never leave children or pets in a vehicle 
• Get trained in first aid to help those with heat illness 
• Check on neighbors and the elderly who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat 

For more information about heat safety, click here.

IDOR Urges Late Tax Filers to Act Now

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers who missed the April 15, 2025, deadline that there’s still time to file—and that filing promptly can help lower any penalties and interest owed.

Illinois grants an automatic six-month extension to file individual income tax returns, moving the deadline to October 15, 2025. However, this does not extend the time to pay taxes owed. Taxpayers expecting to owe must submit payment using Form IL-505-I (Automatic Extension Payment for Individuals) to avoid penalties on unpaid balances not paid by April 15, 2025.

To avoid future filing issues, IDOR recommends:

• Filing electronically through MyTax Illinois
• Using direct deposit or debit for faster processing
• Setting reminders and signing up for email updates at tax.illinois.gov

For more information, visit tax.illinois.gov.

IDFPR Announces Additional License Types on New Licensing System

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) recently added 18 more professions available for licensure.

The department’s new system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment), completed Phase 1 in October of 2024 and has a total of 6 phases set to be fully implemented by August of 2026. Below is a description of what the next phases will include:

• Phase 3- Full regulatory transition for DPR (which includes all application types, enforcement integration, and data migration of legacy licenses).
• Phase 4- Full regulatory transition for the Division of Real Estate.
• Phase 5- Full regulatory transition for the Division of Banking.
• Phase 6- Full regulatory transition for the Division of Financial Institutions.

Phase 2, set to be completed in the next few weeks, added all remaining Division of Professional Regulation professions with manual or paper processes, with priority on healthcare professions. This phase is only available for new applications. All 46 initial professional license applications are now available on CORE as well. The 18 new types of licenses available on CORE are listed here.

IDFPR says the public will be updated as each part of the implementation is completed. All application methods and license types will be available on the website for CORE here.