WABASH VALLEY, Ill. (WTHI) – A portion of the newly signed Illinois State budget has been met with controversy.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently signed off on the largest budget in state history at $53 billion. There have been many criticisms of the newly passed budget.

One point of contention is the removal of the one percent Grocery Tax.

Revenue from this tax goes directly to local municipalities, commonly used for city utilities management, infrastructure, and public safety.

Gov. Pritzker says that this tax was removed to help fight inflation, but some statehouse officials say that this might do more harm then good.

Critics claim local governments will face revenue shortages, with the smallest towns being hit the hardest.

The bill does allow local governments to implement its own grocery tax with a maximum at one percent.

This means that local officials might be forced to raise taxes to keep city programs funded. Because of this, some well meaning local leaders could have targets on their backs come election season. 

"It’s going to make some of them look like they are just being greedy. Like they aren’t really looking out for their citizens. It’s truly going to put them in a very tough situation," says Illinois State Representative Brandun Schweizer, a republican representing the Danville area, "And to be honest, I really think a lot of them could lose their jobs over this."

Fortunately, local leaders have time to prepare for this tax cut. The Grocery Tax removal will not go into effect until January 1, 2026.