AFP-IL Statement on End of Legislative Session
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Last night, the 2025 session of the Illinois General Assembly came to a close with the passage of the largest budget in state history with no Republican votes. However, AFP-IL’s top two defensive priorities (service tax expansion and Tier 2 pension sweeteners) failed to pass, which were huge wins for taxpayers.
AFP-Illinois led a mail, grassroots, and digital campaign opposing Democrats’ proposal to introduce new taxes on more than 80 services. This campaign resulted in over 3,500 activists across the state taking action and a tele-townhall with House GOP leadership, with more than 10,000 Illinoisians in attendance.
While the $2.5B services tax proposal failed, Illinois lawmakers passed the most bloated state budget in J.B. Pritzker’s tenure, a historic increase from 38.5 billion to 55.2 billion in just six years.
In addition to economic policies, AFP-Illinois and a coalition of homeschool advocates successfully defeated the Homeschool Act that would have criminalized homeschooling in Illinois and created harsh penalties for parents, including possible jail time.
AFP-Illinois State Director Jason Heffley released the following statement:
“Though countless dangerous policies were defeated in Springfield this legislative session, Illinois still faces the largest tax burden in the country, and this year’s historically large budget only contributes to the state’s spending problem.
“AFP-Illinois and our activists from across the Land of Lincoln are laser-focused on advocating on taxpayers’ behalf to reduce government overreach – and this mission won’t stop with the end of session. We look forward to working with lawmakers and policy champions to ensure Illinois remains a great place to raise a family or start a business for years to come.”
