Illinois GOP state reps call on Dems to stop taxing s’mores, other goods

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois House Republicans are calling on Democrats to oppose new tax proposals.

State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, said House Bill 4459 would impose fees on backyard campfires, and House Bill 5112 would impose taxes on retail carryout bags.

“By the way Mr. Severin, those s’mores items you just bought at the grocery store, we’ve gotta charge you a bag tax for that. No matter if it’s a paper bag, plastic bag, reusable bag, they’re going to get me for it,” Severin said.

Severin spoke during a virtual news conference on Wednesday.

State Rep. Kyle Moore, R-Quincy, said the new tax proposals are an insult to working families.

“We have seen the state of Illinois, the sanctuary state of Illinois, that is, prioritize tax dollars to pay for health care, lodging, food, day care for people that are in this country illegally,” Moore said.

Moore said the prioritization of noncitizen expenditures cost Illinois taxpayers nearly $3 billion in the last three years.

With Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget address just days away, Moore said he would like to hear the governor deliver a more unifying message than he did last year.

During his 2025 State of the State speech, Pritzker referenced Nazis six times while criticizing President Donald Trump.

“I’m also hoping that we’re going to hear the words ‘fiscal constraint’ and ‘living within our means,’ and hopefully a pledge that no new taxes will be signed into law. I doubt that’s what’s going to happen, but that’s what I’m hoping for next week,” Moore said.

In addition to taxes on retail carryout bags and open burning, Democratic state lawmakers have proposed taxes on digital advertising and millionaires in recent weeks.

Moore said Illinois Democrats should not talk about affordability if they refuse to oppose higher taxes.

The Illinois budget for fiscal year 2026 is a state record-high $55.2 billion.