State spending under Governor Pritzker has grown exponentially since he took office in 2019. When he took over as Governor, state expenditures were $40.3 billion. Each year since we have seen state spending grow and we now have a budget that is $15 billion higher than when he took office.
House Republicans respond to the Governor's proposed budget:
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie
“Illinois families deserve an honest and transparent government – not one that increases spending by $2 billion and masks a $3.2 billion deficit on paper, setting taxpayers up for a potential tax hike on May 31.
I promised at the start of the year that House Republicans would expose and oppose poor public policy, and this budget proposal is just that. It won’t grow our tax base; it will continue to punish businesses and hardworking Illinoisans.”
Rep. Charlie Meier
“I’m a farmer, and I know that when times are tough you have to cinch your belt to make ends meet. Instead of cutting government waste, lowering your tax burden, and balancing the budget, Governor Pritzker decided to hold a bizarre campaign rally, deflecting blame for his administration’s failures to President Trump.”
Rep. Jeff Keicher
“As Conference Chairman for House Republicans, we have three main priorities for the state budget: 1) Economic growth through reform and good policy, 2) Reducing costs through identifying state agency efficiencies and implementing structural reforms, and 3) NO tax increases. I will advocate strongly for these principles as we debate the Governor’s budget proposal and ultimately pass a new state budget in May.”
Rep. Amy Grant
“The Governor’s proposal is the largest budget in state history, increasing spending by nearly $2 billion,” said Grant. “Instead of cutting waste and making the government more efficient, he is relying on tax hikes and unrealistic revenue assumptions to fund his agenda.”
Rep. John Cabello
“Illinois residents deserve a government that is transparent, efficient, and accountable,” said Cabello. “That’s why I introduced legislation to create the Illinois Department of Government Efficiency – because unlike Governor Pritzker, I believe we should be cutting waste and prioritizing the needs of working families – rather than growing bureaucracy and reckless spending.”
Rep. Dave Severin
“Governor Pritzker’s proposed budget would once again spend a record amount of money, totaling $55.235 billion. That number is over $15 billion higher (a 38% increase) compared to Pritzker’s first budget year (FY20). Severin says it is time for Pritzker and General Assembly Democrats to face the reality that they have over-promised, overspent, and under-delivered for Illinois taxpayers.
Rep. Joe Sosnowski
“Specifically, we should have heard from the Governor today on policies to grow Illinois, lower property taxes, and ending the wasteful taxpayer-funded health benefits for all non-citizens. Instead, the Governor proposed $590 million in new taxes, transfers and other budget gimmicks in an attempt to sustain the uncontrollable spending we have seen over the past six years under his failed leadership.”
“The Governor’s budget proposal is the largest in state history, and while it attempts to address the deficit, it’s a setup for future tax increases. The projected budget deficit requires careful planning, transparency, and a commitment to responsible spending. It’s a baseline for a plan they hope will work, but the overly optimistic revenue assumptions and proposed $2 billion in additional spending create significant uncertainty. The Governor’s proposal also fails to address the longstanding issues with the PUNS program under DHS, a program that has been failing for over a decade.