On Tuesday, Governor JB Pritzker approved the $56 billion Fiscal Year 2027 Illinois State Budget, which spends nearly a billion dollars more than last year.
The Democratic majority’s budget, passed in the early morning hours of the final day of session, is a record-high $55.9 billion and relies on $800 million in new revenue, including new taxes on social media platforms and digital ads, while raiding $150 million of revenue from the state sales tax on gas.
During his bill signing ceremony, Governor Pritzker continued to play the blame game, attacking President Trump and blaming the federal government for Illinois’ budget problems.
Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer criticized Pritzker’s blame game, saying the Governor cannot hide from his ‘Tax, Borrow, Spend, Repeat’ record.
“On Governor Pritzker’s watch, state spending has increased by $16 billion, a 40% spending hike,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “Pritzker and the Democratic majority have raised taxes and fees year after year, taking more money out of the pockets of hardworking families. Despite spouting off talking points about affordability, the reality is Illinois families cannot afford Gov. Pritzker’s ‘Tax, Borrow, Spend, Repeat’ Budget.”
Governor Pritzker’s Pattern of Deflection:
Budget: Governor Pritzker blames the federal government for Illinois’ budget challenges, despite state spending increasing by nearly 40% during his tenure.
SNAP: The Governor criticizes federal officials for removing people from SNAP (food stamp) benefits, while Illinois continues to struggle with an error rate exceeding 11%.
Redistricting: Governor Pritzker accuses Republicans of attempting to rig elections, yet he signed the most partisan legislative maps in the nation into law.
Affordability: The Governor points to Washington for rising costs, while Illinois families have faced 57 tax and fee hikes during his administration and continue to bear the highest overall tax burdens in the country.
Immigration: Governor Pritzker has called for cooperation with federal law enforcement, yet his own administration supported sanctuary state policies that limit that cooperation. This year’s budget includes more than $400 million in taxpayer-funded services for illegal immigrants.
“Illinois families deserve leadership that takes responsibility and delivers results, not excuses,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “While Governor Pritzker continues to shift blame, Illinoisans are left to deal with higher costs and fewer opportunities, with no relief in sight. There’s no relief from soaring energy bills caused by Democrats’ ‘green energy giveaways.’ No relief from the highest tax burden in the nation. Rather than suspending the state sales tax on gas – a tax on a tax – to provide some relief at the pumps, the Democrats are raiding this revenue to help pay for their spending spree. Once again, they may use the word ‘affordability’, but increased taxes, fees, and spending tell the real story.”
