Meanwhile, Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman had some harsh words for members of the Illinois General Assembly during Monday’s Vandalia City Council meeting. In reacting to the 32 percent income tax increase that has passed both the House and Senate, Mayor Gottman commented the people of Illinois cannot take another increase. Mayor Gottman called it a sad day for the state when the General Assembly cannot balance the state’s budget. Gottman put the blame on both parties, and said that businesses will continue to relocate out of the state or continue to close. Mayor Gottman also added the City of Vandalia lost out on a business locating here in the past year because there was no state budget in place. Gottman says that business instead decided to locate in the state of Arkansas.