DeKalb Times

Dixon Mayor Liandro “Li”Arellano is convinced the masses are on his side when it comes to his staunch opposition to any talk of another tax increase.

“There is no room in the families of Illinois to pay more taxes now and the prospect of it shouldn’t even be on the table,” Arellano told the DeKalb Times. “Residents are struggling enough already. I really can’t understand why we would be considering anything that will only make things harder for them.”

With House members slated to meet early this month for the first time in roughly eight months, Arellano is on the same page as a growing number of republican lawmakers that worry another tax hike will be among the first topics broached by longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan given the state faces a $4 billion budget shortfall.

With Madigan now finding himself at the center of an ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme where all the perks were allegedly steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation, Arellano said he thinks Madigan’s push may be part of a desperate attempt to stay in power.

“I think the Speaker will do or say just about anything to stay in power, including things that are not in the best interest of the people, like talk of added taxes,” Arellano added. “It seems he will do anything to serve his own interest and he already has.”

Arellano isn’t alone in rendering his harsh assessment of the veteran lawmaker. To date, at least 19 Democratic lawmakers have come out to insist they have no intentions of supporting his re-election campaign.

“People are tired and they’re fed up,” Arellano added. “Trying to jam another tax increase down their throats is the last thing we need to say, but Madigan’s desperate and I wouldn’t rule anything out when we’re talking about powerful people being desperate.”