Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Talk is coming around again of applying Illinois’ sales tax to services. Think haircuts, legal services, and dry cleaning.

“At one point, we looked at what the financial impact would be if we extended the sales tax to all services — something that will never happen!” Senate President Don Harmon (pictured, lower left) (D-Oak Park) said to applause at Wednesday’s meeting of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “But that would have generated, like, $10-12 billion at that point in time. Our economy is very different than it was in 1950. So much more service-based than it used to be.”

One by one, the state’s legislative leaders addressed the business audience.

“I don’t know anyone who voted for what we’re seeing coming out of Washington right now,” said House Speaker Chris Welch (pictured, lower right) (D-Hillside), “whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican. We didn’t vote for instability. We didn’t vote for chaos. We didn’t vote for changing our mind on tariffs every other day.”

Republicans, not surprisingly, pointed to what’s wrong.

“Currently, Illinois’ unemployment is 4.9 percent,” said Senate Minority Leader John Curran (pictured, upper left) (R-Downers Grove). “We rank 46-th in the nation. That is not where we want to be on any economic rating.”

Curran added the gross domestic product of Illinois is 48-th, compared to Wisconsin’s 12-th and Iowa’s 13-th.

“Illinois should be a national leader in growth, infrastructure, education, and economic opportunity,” said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (pictured, upper right) (R- Savanna). “Instead, we find ourselves burdened with the highest burden of state and local taxes in the country.”

While 2025 is expected to be a difficult budget year, the supermajority Democrat leaders said they hoped the Illinois General Assembly can finish its work for the spring before the scheduled May 31-st adjournment date.

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