ILLINOIS – State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro (R-Hanover Park) is raising alarm over a new transit funding proposal being pushed through the Illinois Senate that would impose major tax hikes and fees on suburban families—all to prop up what she calls “Chicago’s fiscal mismanagement.”
The Senate’s plan includes a slew of new costs aimed directly at the collar counties:
- A 10% rideshare tax in Chicago, Cook, and the collar counties,
- A $0.50 tollway surcharge across the metro region,
- An expansion of the real estate transfer tax, and
- New fees on electric vehicle charging stations.
“This robs the suburbs to fund Chicago’s financial mismanagement,” said Rep. Sanalitro. “Why should families in suburban DuPage and Cook counties be forced to pay more so Mayor Brandon Johnson can have more control over our tax dollars?”
Sanalitro criticized the proposal for giving even more decision-making power to a city government with a history of financial mismanagement.
“Maybe if Chicago stopped funding sanctuary city programs, they wouldn’t need to reach into the pockets of suburban taxpayers to fund a broken system,” she added.
Local leaders across DuPage County, including State Senator Seth Lewis, warn the plan could cost local governments millions, leading to layoffs in public safety, cuts to senior programs, and significant reductions in core services.
The criticism isn’t just coming from Republicans—members of organized labor have also voiced concerns. Union leaders say the plan lacks sustainable funding, risks legal challenges due to potential bond covenant violations, and unfairly shifts the financial burden onto suburban drivers and homeowners without fixing the core issues within the transit system.
“Everyone agrees we need a long-term solution to support public transit,” said Sanalitro. “But piling more taxes onto suburban families isn’t the answer. This plan threatens to hollow out our local budgets, strain working families, and deepen the divide between Chicago and the suburbs.”
Sanalitro is calling for a fair and responsible approach that addresses long-term transit challenges without punishing families in the collar counties.
“During these final days of session, I’ll be fighting to protect our communities from more tax hikes,” she concluded.
For more information, please contact State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro’s district office at 630-349-0645.
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State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro is the State Representative for House District 48, which includes the communities of Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Itasca, Medinah, Roselle, Schaumburg, and Wood Dale in suburban DuPage and Cook counties.