Gov. J.B. Pritzker is drawing criticism from local legislators in response to the $52.7 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which he unveiled during his State of the State and budget address on Wednesday.
The legislators seem to agree on two things: both spending and taxes are increasing at a staggering rate, and the needs of taxpaying Illinois citizens are not being met while additional funds are being spent on illegal immigrants.
Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights) said that the budget for FY 2025 is the largest in Illinois history.
“Instead of looking out for our own citizens, the Governor is focusing on funding for migrants. The most vulnerable citizens of Illinois are paying the price for his careless overspending,” he stated. “We need a budget that’s fair, responsible, and puts Illinoisans first for a stable future. If we continue to operate on unrealistic budgets that aren’t addressing the needs of our own citizens, Illinois will hurt for it. I will do everything in my power to fight for a budget that will serve the people of our great state.”
Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) has not yet released a statement, but said on Facebook that state spending has gone up more than 30% since Pritzker took office.
Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) and Sen. Erica Harriss said the budget proposes $2.29 billion in new spending over last year’s budget with an additional $1.1 billion in tax hikes. Yet, all this extra spending fails to meet the needs of Illinois residents.
“I am disappointed not to see one cent of property tax relief …While this administration is focusing on funneling billions of dollars to migrants coming to our state, my focus remains on the citizens of our state and our hard-working Metro-East families,” Harriss stated.
“The people I represent don’t appreciate seeing their tax dollars spent on enticing undocumented immigrants to come to Illinois for housing and Cadillac healthcare,” Elik added. “Now that Governor Pritzker presented his budget proposal to lawmakers, it’s time for the House and Senate to work together on a budget that reflects the priorities of the taxpayers we represent. I want to see us reach an agreement this year on a budget that is balanced without any tax hikes, eliminates Cadillac health benefits for non-citizens, and provides tax relief for families.”
Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) said the state budget is also faced with a $775 million deficit and no more bailouts from the federal government.
“We need to tighten our spending and stop providing Cadillac health care benefits for non-citizens as it’s costing us $2.8 billion,” he said. “We need a budget that is balanced with a plan to grow our economy, not shrink it!”
In addition to state legislators raising concerns over the spending plan, the They Deserve More Coalition - which comprises nearly 90 agencies and organizations that serve and advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities - said the budget proposal fails to meet their needs.
“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families and provider agencies have spent years advocating for the State to adequately fund Illinois’ IDD community support system. The General Assembly and the Governor have responded - making small but incremental progress over the last seven state budgets, after no increases for nearly a decade. But, the response does not meet the State’s obligation, and the proposed FY25 budget offers nothing for Direct Support Professional (DSP) wages,” the coalition stated.
“People with IDD have suffered for too long from a critical shortage of frontline caregivers and repeated underfunding of the community system,” it continued. “Meanwhile, thousands languish on the state waitlist without vital services. The State reinstated funding for DSP work hours that it had just recently planned to cut, but we are still left without adequate wages that allow us to recruit and retain employees essential to serve people with disabilities.”
The coalition noted that Illinois ranks second to last in funding support for community-based services for people with IDD.
“The state-commissioned Guidehouse Rate Study recommends that the state DSP wage reimbursement be at least 150% of minimum wage,” the coalition stated. “We urge the General Assembly to pass a $3 per hour DSP wage increase in FY25 to reach that crucial level of support.”