Despite inclement weather in Springfield Wednesday, Governor J.B. Pritzger went ahead with his Budget Address at the Old State Capital. His proposal for the next fiscal year aims to provide tax relief to Illinois residents and solidify the states finances. It would pump more money into education and create a family relief plan from a $1.7 billion dollar surplus. That relief plan includes suspending the state gas tax and grocery tax and doubling the property tax deduction for homeowners for a year. The governor also is looking to suspend license fees for bars and resteraunts also for one year and to hire more Department of Children and Family Service workers and additional state police troopers. After the speech, local legislators were critical of the plan. 55th District Republican State Senator Darren Bailey, a gubenatorial candidate in 2022, said it was obvious that the governor had abandoned the working families of Illinois and temporarily not raising taxes for one year is a slap in the face. 109th District Republican State Representative Adam Niemerg stated that the governor managed to insult all types of Illinoisians with his proposals and failed guidance during the pandemic.