DeKalb Times

State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) believes Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) was "spinning a grand tale" about his accomplishments during the governor's annual State of the State address.

Syverson's comments come after Pritzker delivered the budget address virtually from the Old State Capitol on Feb. 2. 

"The reality is people are continuing to leave Illinois," Syverson said in a statement. "Census figures show that Illinois lost more than 100,000 people just last year and one-year election-year gimmicks will not reverse this trend."

Syverson also criticized Pritzker for increasing spending in the budget after receiving $3.9 billion in additional revenue through the Federal Government.

"That money will not be there next year. Yet the Governor has laid out a budget based on these revenues being ongoing — which they are not," Syverson said in the statement. "His budget increases base spending by a massive $2.5 billion. This is going to create a financial cliff for taxpayers next year, of course after the election is over."

Syverson also believes the one-time property tax rebate doesn't address the "long-term problem" of homeownership in the state.

"Property taxes are driving people out of their homes and risking their retirements. Making such a tax break permanent, as recently proposed by Senate Republicans, would give relief to families, especially senior citizens," Syverson said. 

During the State of the State and Budget address, Pritzker spoke about fulfilling his campaign promise of fiscal responsibility by ending 2021 with a $1.7 billion surplus which he called "the first of its kind in more than 25 years," NBC Chicago reported. 

ABC 7 Chicago reported that the state's fiscal situation received assistance from federal funding and increased state revenues. The news outlet also noted that in addition to the property tax rebate, Pritzker also recommended freezing the grocery tax and halting the increased gas tax.