Tom Cullerton votes to support DuPage residents

SPRINGFIELD - In an effort to protect Illinois taxpayers, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) voted against a premature tax increase.

Senate Bill 9 increases the state income tax from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent.

"I cannot support a tax increase until we cut more waste, fraud and abuse in state bureaucracy," Cullerton said. "The governor's administration entered into a $2.4 million leasing deal on the taxpayers' dime; yet folks are asking DuPage residents to help balance the budget. This is unacceptable and something I cannot vote in favor of."

Cullerton and State Representative David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) are urging for a bipartisan investigation by the Illinois Audit Commission to examine the sweetheart deal Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration gave to political insiders.

Last week, the Illinois Senate passed structural reforms, such as Cullerton's government consolidation plan, procurement reform and school funding reform.

The school funding plan does not cut funding to schools in DuPage County. All schools will receive the same amount of funding they received this school year. However, struggling districts such as School District U-46 and Queen Bee School District 16 would receive an increase in funding to put them on an even playing field with neighboring schools.

"I would never support a plan that would pit children against each other," Cullerton said. "None of our schools will receive less funding than the year before. However, we will move toward a system that is fair and gives all children, regardless of their ZIP code, a chance to succeed."