The first week of the Fall veto session in Springfield ended quietly last Thursday, with lawmakers adjourning after taking little to no action on major legislation. They will return this week for the final three days of the session, where debate is expected to heat up over potential new tax proposals including a proposed $1.50 delivery fee that would apply to nearly all deliveries statewide.

Republican lawmakers have voiced strong opposition to the measure, saying it would fall hardest on working families, seniors living on fixed incomes, and small businesses already struggling with higher costs. They argue the state should focus on providing relief, rather than adding to the financial burden residents are already facing.

With property taxes, energy bills and grocery prices continuing to rise, Republicans said many Illinoisans are feeling these costs. Some lawmakers pointed to recent headlines about Governor J.B. Pritzker’s reported $1.4 million in gambling winnings in Las Vegas as a reminder of the growing disconnect between the state’s leadership and the economic challenges facing everyday families in Illinois. Some discussions surrounding Pritzker’s winnings have not been taken too well by State Representative CD Davidsmeyer of Murrayville and Jeff Kiecher of Sycamore. 

Legislators are set to return to the Capitol on Tuesday to complete the Fall session, where the delivery tax proposal and other fiscal measures are expected to take up the bulk of the debate.