Schweizer says high taxes caused businesses to close, scale back in Vermilion County

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois House Republicans say too many businesses have shut their doors or scaled back operations due to the state's taxes.

Rep. Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) told reporters in Springfield Tuesday that the closure of the Quaker Oats facility in 2024 caused 510 people to lose good-paying union jobs.

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling announced they will move over 220 jobs across the border to Indiana this year.

Schweizer noted that McLane Company also announced layoffs in December based on current business needs.

"Our current path, increasing costs and layering mandates, is not reversing our economic challenges," Schweizer said. "It is not stabilizing our business climate and it is not helping communities like Danville, Savoy, Rantoul, or the other small towns throughout the 104th District."

Schweizer has filed a bill to repeal the state's corporate franchise tax to eliminate an "outdated and burdensome tax on businesses."

Another plan could strengthen the research and development tax credits to increase incentives for businesses to innovate and expand in Illinois.

Both proposals await review by the House Rules Committee.

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