22-02-2025
Senator Li Arellano, Jr concerned about pensions after State Budget Address
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Following Wednesday's State of the State and State Budget Address from Governor JB Pritzker, Republican Senator Li Arellano, Jr. visited WMBD News at 4 to share his thoughts.
Arellano said his biggest concern when it comes to the budget is pensions. He continued to say the budget is not a true pension payment based on what actuaries recommend.
'When you think about Illinois; how do we get so deeply in debt when we have a constitution requirement to have a balanced budget? It's through not fully paying into the pensions. That's how we got here,' said Arellano. 'I don't want to pass debt onto my kids. I don't like that it was passed on to me. Under the constitution it really shouldn't be happening. So that's the part I'd really push back on.'
Arellano also addressed the proposed rollback on healthcare for non-citizen. He then explained his previously release statement that said, 'More spending means more taxes, and what the Governor failed to mention in his speech—but included in his proposal—is a tax hike on Illinois job creators.'
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