In this issue:

• J B Pritzker supports the Democratic Socialists of America

• Candidate Darren Bailey tells Pritzker-appointed Board their toll increase is unnecessary

• Voter Registration Documents Were Mailed Directly to Non-citizens in Illinois

• Rhys Read will challenge Mussman

• STRO Events at https://www.stgop.org/events

J B Pritzker supports the Democratic Socialists of America

In his own words: “Any Democrat who is standing up and speaking out for (affordability) and coming up with solutions and doing it in a manner that is fighting what Donald Trump is doing to raise prices on people, those are the people who are winning. … That is the recipe for winning in 2026 and beyond.” Pritzker makes it clear. He only cares about winning (CNN Interview). If Pritzker is so concerned about affordability, why is he raising taxes and tolls?

Candidate Darren Bailey tells Pritzker-appointed Board their toll increase is unnecessary

The drivers in Illinois are facing the largest toll increase in Illinois history. On January 1, 2027, the toll will jump by 45 cents, increasing the average toll to $1.24. Tolls for trucks will jump by 30%. The new toll increase will make every consumer item that passes through northern Illinois more expensive, resulting in an increase in the cost of living for Illinois families.

Republican candidate for Governor, Darren Bailey, addressed the Illinois Tollway Board to object to the toll increase. “The tollway is not struggling,” he said. “It’s reported that the tollway collected the highest toll revenue and highest net operating revenue in its history. In 2024 alone, the tollway collected $1.28 billion more than it needed to operate and maintain the system. No one disputes that roads need to be maintained, but you don’t have to hand an agency, already collecting record revenue of $26.5 billion, a blank check.”

Bailey took exception to the permanent automatic escalator beginning in 2029. “Tolls would increase with inflation every two years. There would be no expiration date and no future vote required. That’s taxation on autopilot.”

“>Every voting member of this board was appointed by Gov. Pritzker. You may not be directly accountable to the drivers who have to pay these tolls, but today you are responsible for determining if their vote matters. If the tollway needs more money in 2029 or 2035, the tollway board should come back to the people and make the case, put the facts on the record, and take another vote.”

It’s critical that you vote in the midterm elections on November 3, 2026? If we miss this chance to elect Jennifer Davis to the U.S. House of Representatives and Don Tracyto the U.S. Senate, we could lose our Republican majority and waste more time on impeachment attempts on Trump and stalemates on important legislation to grow our economy.

Voter Registration Documents Were Mailed Directly to Non-citizens in Illinois

During a U.S. Senate hearing, the Acting Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services admitted to sending official voter registration packets directly to non-citizens and confirmed that the practice was routine. Packets were mailed to individuals receiving DHS services regardless of citizenship status, with voter registration materials included as part of standard mailings. Illinois law prohibits non-citizens from voting, but the state employs motor voter automatic registration which makes it far too easy for ineligible individuals to end up on voter rolls. Couple this with Illinois’ neglect in cleaning the voter rolls, and you have a compromised voting system.

Governor Pritzker has championed expanding services to non-citizens including driver's licenses and healthcare while opposing voter ID laws, but President Trump is committed to reducing voter fraud before the mid-terms and has sued 19 states that refused to release their voter data voluntarily.

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Board of Elections, which sought a judge's order instructing state election officials to release to the U.S. Attorney General "the current electronic copy of Illinois computerized statewide voter registration list, with all fields, including each registrant's full name, date of birth, residential address, and either their state driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.” But U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless in the Central District of Illinois dismissed the suit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled, and cited a lack of authority from the federal government to demand the Illinois voter rolls (Judge's ruling - CBS Chicago)

The Illinois Board of Elections is determined to keep eyes off its voter rolls and fights any federal intervention. Does that give you faith in the integrity of our voting system? If we cannot depend on clean voter rolls when we vote on November 3, we will have to show up in greater numbers to offset the effect of this vulnerability. Make sure you vote on November 3^rd.

Rhys Read will challenge Mussman

Rhys Read, a former treasurer and controller of a $20 Billion pension fund, has thrown his hat in the ring. When Rhys saw that Mussman’s Republican opponent dropped out of the race, he said, “That can’t happen,” so he stepped up. Follow Rhys (pronounced Reese) on his website: https://readforil56.com/

In this issue:

• Special Edition: Pritzker’s War on Single-Family Homes

Special Edition: Pritzker’s War on Single-Family Homes

Gov. JB Pritzker has a plan to allow multi-unit dwellings to be built in neighborhoods zoned exclusively for single-family homes. For instance, his plan would allow a 4-flat to be built on a lot between 2,500 to 5,000 square feet. (A ⅛-acre lot is about 5,000 square feet.) Six units could be built on a lot between 5,000 and 7,500 square feet. His Building Up Illinois Developments Plan (BUILD) will override municipal codes concerning single-family zoning. High-density housing, like the triplex pictured here, is his solution to the state’s housing shortage. Its footprint is 50 feet by 50 feet.

The bills for this legislation are still in committee and have faced fierce opposition from suburban mayors, but Pritzker will push Democrats to pass them in the fall session. The BUILD Plan will allow developers to construct apartment buildings, condominiums, duplexes, triplexes, accessory dwelling units and other Missing Middle housing on lots zoned for single-family homes.Click Here to learn more about the Missing Middle.

Local mayors staunchly oppose the plan because it strips away local control. Working within the Illinois Municipal League, they have voiced their opposition and offered a plan of their own. See the Illinois Municipal League's Counter Proposal

Mayor Tom Dailly of Schaumburg - “This legislation is terrible and a total threat to local communities like Schaumburg that have worked hard to create a viable and livable community for its residents.”

Mayor Rodney Craig of Hanover Park - “We are serious about these issues, and I haven’t felt this level of stress during my 19 years in office.”

Mayor Craig B. Johnson of Elk Grove Village - “Under the Building Up Illinois Developments proposal, homes in Elk Grove could be replaced with 6–8-unit apartment buildings — by right, with no Village approval and no input from neighbors.” Click here to read: Proposed State Law Would Change Elk Grove Neighborhoods

State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro - “The constant attacks on local control by Springfield must end… Under the BUILD Plan, decisions about what gets built in our neighborhoods could be made by politicians who don't live in or even know our area.”

Where Did This Idea Originate?

During the Obama Administration, HUD created the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Plan (AFFH) to restrict single-family zoning, citing it as an obstacle to fair housing. President Trump terminated the rule saying it would “destroy the value of houses.” Biden restored it in 2021 and said, “Single-family zoning is discriminatory.” Trump terminated the rule again in 2024. JB Pritzker is running for president in 2028. Having accomplished this major legislation would make him a hero in Democrat circles.

State Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro (R) strongly opposes the BUILD Plan; however, State Senator Laura Murphy (D) is a co-sponsor. Michelle Mussman (D) and Fred Crespo (D) have not weighed in publicly. Why not call them, and tell them what you think? It’s not too late.

The BUILD Plan is structured as separate bills. We suggest you reference the bill number when you correspond with your senator or state representative.

House Bill 5626 is an omnibus housing bill targeting municipal zoning, legalization of accessory dwelling units, parking reform, and permit review timelines.

Senate Bill 4060 mandates that municipalities must allow for multi-unit dwellings in areas zoned for single-family homes.

Senate Bill 4061 mandates that municipalities allow residential buildings with six stories or less to have only one stairway serving as an exit for all units.

Senate Bill 4062 mandates that municipalities authorized to collect impact fees must use a standardized statewide formula.

Senate Bill 4063 requires municipalities to complete building plan reviews and inspections within an allotted time, or the applicant may hire a third-party reviewer or inspector.

Senate Bill 4064 limits the number of required parking spaces municipalities can mandate for residential developments, capping them at 0.5 spaces per unit. (This will lead to overflow parking on the street.)

In this issue:

• Illinois Lawmakers get 26 second per page to read FY2026 budget

• Gov. Pritzker denies that illegal migrants receive Medicaid in Illinois

• IL Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro reacts to FY2026 budget

• Illinois Lawmakers give themselves another pay increase

• Illinoisans pay the second-highest rate for gasoline tax in the nation

• STRO Events at https://www.stgop.org/events

Illinois lawmakers get 26 seconds per page to read FY 2026 budget – from Illinois Policy

"Lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly must read fast when they get final state budgets, because thousands of pages are dropped on them at the last minute before they must vote. They averaged about 67 seconds per page to digest the past nine state appropriations bills. For the past four years they had less than 30 seconds per page to read over 3,000 pages. Evelyn Wood would be proud."

Full story at Wirepoints

Gov. Pritzker denies that illegal migrants receive Medicaid benefits in Illinois

Members of the Illinois General Assembly delivered to Gov. J.B. Pritzker a record $55.2 billion budget plan, which requires $1.1 billion in new taxes. Overall, state spending will grow by about 5% from last year's enacted plan. Despite tax hikes and record spending, the FY2026 budget falls $4.5 billion short of what is required to keep up with the state’s pension debt.

However, the budget includes $182 million to provide shelter, health care and other services for recently arrived migrants and includes $440 million from the general revenue fund for state-funded Medicaid-like benefits to noncitizens, with $189 million from other state funds as well.  (Illinois Policy Institute)

On June 12, 2025, Governor Pritzker appeared before the House Oversight Committee. Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) questioned him,

DONALDS: “Governor, don’t you keep track of how many people are on your Medicaid rolls, how many people who are illegal immigrants in the State of Illinois who are getting benefits in your state?”

PRITZKER: “They don’t get Medicaid in Illinois or in any state as far as I know.”

DONALDS: “Governor, do you not keep track of any public service dollars in the State of Illinois that go to illegal immigrants?”

PRITZKER: “We keep track of our budget and it’s been balanced for the past seven years.”

DONALDS: “It’s interesting, I’ve noticed that in the State of Illinois, you don’t really keep track of your money…A month ago, I asked your mayor in Chicago a similar question, and he didn’t have an answer…I think this might be an Illinois problem.” Watch this exchange on Youtube:

Illinois Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro reacts to FY2026 budget

In a video posted to YouTube, Representative Sanalitro (R-48) outlines what the budget does and does not address. You can watch the Youtube video here:

Here’s a taste.

“Do you know what made it into this budget,” said Rep. Sanalitro, “pork projects for Democrat districts, but Republican districts got nothing…Pay raises for lawmakers, but no crackdowns on waste, fraud, and abuse.

“Do you know what else made it into this budget; money for illegal immigrant housing, healthcare, and transportation, but nothing for veterans, counties, municipalities and townships that operate programs for seniors and other at-risk groups.”

Another pay increase for lawmakers.

The FY2026 budget includes another cost-of-living pay raise for Illinois lawmakers. The law establishing a COLA for state lawmakers is found in the Illinois Compiled Statutes, specifically under Chapter 25, Legislature. The COLA is capped at 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Illinois lawmakers went from $93,712 in 2024 to $98,304 this year. Are they worth it? About 71 percent of the 177 lawmakers earn additional money, called stipends, for holding leadership posts or serving in key committee positions. Those stipends range from $10,327 to $27,477. Not a single Republican lawmaker voted for this. We encourage you to open this link to an article from Wirepoints: Why do we pay nearly $100K in salary for each Illinois lawmaker? | Wirepoints

Illinoisans pay the second-highest rate for gas taxes, behind only California.

You’ll remember that in 2019, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, doubling the state’s motor fuel tax rate from 19 cents to 38 cents per gallon. Included in the plan were annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index, which now brings the tax to 48.3¢. Illinois’ motor fuel tax is the second highest in the nation behind California.

To that Cook County adds 6¢ per gallon, and DuPage adds 9.7¢ per gallon. Other state taxes on fuel include an underground storage tank tax, an environmental impact fee, and a separate tax for the Illinois’ Underground Storage Tank Fund. When you add a federal tax of 18.4¢ per gallon, Illinoisans pay more than 85¢ per gallon of gas in taxes.

STRO Events

Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025, 9:30 am – 12:30 PM Republican Precinct Committeeman Training at the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd, Schaumburg. Instruction is by Bob Grogan, CPA, CFE. Former IL Rep. Jeanne Ives IL-03 and Debbie Kanarowski, ILSCC-08 will also be presenting.

Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 6 – 8 pm. It’s a time for fun; We’re throwing a STRO Social – a STROcial at Moretti’s, 2475 W. Higgins Rd., Hoffman Estates. There will be appetizers and Cash Bar. Please RSVP at https://www.stgop.org/strocial_stro_social_20250723

Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025, starting at 1 pm. We’re STROing a PICNIC at the Grove at Saint Peter Lutheran Church. The cost is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers or those who did not pre-register. A child under 12 is free if accompanied by a member. Please RSVP at https://www.stgop.org/stro_picnic_20250803. Registration ends July 31 so we can give accurate numbers to the caterer.

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