Homer Glen, IL…State Representative Patrick Sheehan (R-Homer Glen) is calling out Illinois Democrats on tax hikes hurting the working class. At a time when Illinois families are working harder than ever just to stay afloat, the new state budget backed by Illinois Democrats is adding insult to injury, stacking new taxes on everyday choices, from cell phone service and sports bets to golf carts and nicotine patches.
“The cost of living is already too high,” Rep. Sheehan said. “My constituents have voiced their displeasure with the Democrats so-called ‘sin taxes’. What we do for leisure or entertainment should not be punished. Yet here we are with a budget that reaches deeper into the wallets of regular people just trying to get by.”
Under the FY26 budget, a long list of new taxes has quietly taken hold. Streaming a game or texting your family? Starting July 1st, Illinois will lead the nation in cell phone taxes. Betting a few bucks on Sunday’s game? That wager now comes with an extra fee: 25 cents on smaller bets, and 50 cents on larger ones, squeezing fans with worse odds and fewer perks.
Trying to quit smoking? Nicotine replacement products like patches and lozenges now carry a new state tax. Golfing this weekend? A new law rolled out this year from last year’s budget slaps a retail tax on leasing golf carts. Even your DoorDash order might not be safe: while a $1.50 “climate impact” delivery fee was paused in the House, it already passed the Senate, ready to resurface at the earliest chance.
“Democrats keep claiming to care about working people, but if you look at this budget, it’s clear they are completely out of touch with the middle and working class” Rep. Sheehan said. “When will enough be enough? When will Illinois Democrats realize that more responsible budgeting is the solution rather than placing more and more taxes onto the backs of the working class in Illinois?”
Rep. Sheehan proudly serves the people of the 37th District.
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