Southern Illinois News

Mike Bost, representative for Illinois' 12th Congressional District, said that the One Big Beautiful Bill could increase wages in Illinois by $6,200 to $11,800, with take-home pay rising by $7,200 to $12,200 for families with two children.

"According to the Council of Economic Advisers' newest report, the Trump-backed “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will be a massive win for the American people," said Bost, U.S. Representative, according to Facebook. "It delivers the largest middle class tax cut in history, provides higher wages, and increases take-home pay while cutting wasteful spending. In Illinois alone, long-run wage increases will be anywhere from $6,200 to $11,800, and take-home pay for a family with two children is expected to increase by $7,200 to $12,200."

According to a report from the Council of Economic Advisers, extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act over the next four years and beyond could increase investment by 9.8% to 14.5%, boost gross domestic product by 4.2% to 5.2%, and create or save between 6.6 million and 7.4 million jobs. The One Big Beautiful Bill is expected to create 4.2 million full-time equivalent jobs, raise wages by $6,100 to $11,600, drive more than $100 billion in investment, and support the construction of hundreds of thousands of homes in rural and low-income communities.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's June 18 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's Facebook page

The U.S. House version of the One Big Beautiful Bill includes spending reductions, investments in national security and border protection, and record levels of tax cuts, according to a report from The Hill. The bill would eliminate taxes on tips, exempt overtime pay, and double the tax credit for seniors on fixed incomes. It would also increase the child tax credit to $2,500 per family. The package includes $46 billion for the border wall and hiring 18,000 new immigration enforcement personnel, nearly $150 billion to rebuild the military, and $1.6 trillion in spending reductions.

NPR reports that the Senate’s version of the bill would require Medicaid recipients ages 19 to 64 who are not pregnant or disabled to complete at least 80 hours of work, community service, or other qualifying activities to maintain eligibility. Exemptions would apply to veterans with total disability ratings, those who are medically frail, and young people in foster care up to age 26. The bill also includes up to $25,000 in tips as income through 2024; a deduction of up to $12,500 in overtime pay for individuals or $25,000 for married couples filing jointly; and lowers the child tax credit to $2,200 per child.

Bost has represented Illinois’ 12th District since January 6, 2015. A lifelong Murphysboro resident with extensive experience in state politics as House Republican Caucus Chair in the Illinois State House of Representatives for two decades; he is also a former U.S. Marine Corps member from 1979-1982. Before entering full-time politics he worked at Bost Trucking Service for 24 years before joining Murphysboro Fire Department after completing training at University of Illinois’ Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993.