Illinois Governor JB Pritzker presented a $55.2 billion budget proposal on Wednesday, addressing major financial and policy changes for the state. One of the biggest cost-saving measures includes cutting a health care program for adults without legal status, saving Illinois over $400 million.
During his speech, Pritzker compared former President Donald Trump’s political approach to the rise of Nazi Germany. He warned that democracy could be at risk, urging people to take action against what he called an “authoritarian playbook.” While Democrats applauded his speech, some Republicans responded with laughter, particularly when he criticized the uncertainty of federal funding.
Key Budget Changes and Policy Proposals
Pritzker’s budget, which some Republicans call the largest in Illinois history, includes several major policy proposals:
- Health Care Cuts for Immigrants: The budget removes funding for health care for non-citizen adults aged 42-64, which will end on June 30. However, seniors without legal status will still receive coverage. Some lawmakers, particularly from the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, are fighting to restore this funding.
- Education Funding: The plan keeps early education funding at $748 million, the same as last year. However, it increases general K-12 education funding by $300 million, totaling $11.1 billion. The Chicago Teachers Union criticized the budget, calling it the “minimum required increase.”
- New Laws and Policies: The governor proposed banning cell phones in schools during class time and ensuring abortion pills remain legal in Illinois, even if banned federally. Additionally, the state plans to regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to reduce health care costs.
Revenue Sources and Financial Challenges
Illinois is expecting $55.4 billion in revenue for the next fiscal year, a 2.9% increase from last year. Despite this, the state still faces a $1.7 billion budget deficit. The governor’s plan includes several revenue-generating measures:
- Casino Taxes: The state will tax table games like blackjack and craps at the same rate as slot machines, which is expected to bring in $100 million. However, this will not apply to Chicago’s casino, which has a separate tax structure.
- Motor Fuel Tax Adjustment: The state plans to pause the final shift of sales taxes on motor fuel, bringing in an additional $171 million.
Opposition and Concerns
While the budget aims to balance state finances, some lawmakers are unhappy with certain cuts and funding decisions. State Rep. Carol Ammons, a Democrat from Urbana, expressed her opposition, stating that Black communities have been underfunded for years. She said she would not support the budget unless more funds were allocated to support these communities.
Pritzker’s budget proposal now heads to the Illinois legislature, where lawmakers will debate and negotiate changes before final approval.
