On Monday, Governor JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget into law for Illinois. The budget, which was passed by Democratic legislators and approved by Gov. Pritzker, will allocate $55.2 billion. This represents an increase of nearly $2 billion compared to the FY25 enacted budget. Since Governor Pritzker took office in 2019, state spending has increased by more than $15 billion, marking a 38% rise.
Deputy Republican Leader Norine Hammond (R-Macomb), who is the chief budgeteer for the Illinois House Republican Caucus, criticized this financial plan. She expressed concerns about what she describes as excessive spending by Democrats.
“The tax-and-spend budget that Governor Pritzker just approved is completely irresponsible,” Hammond stated. “It’s a $55 billion budget that relies on $1 billion in new taxes and fund sweeps and hundreds of millions of dollars in Road Fund diversions.”
Hammond further criticized certain allocations within the budget: “What’s in this budget? Pay raises for politicians. Nearly $250 million in pork projects for Democratic legislators aka the ‘Democratic Majority Slush Fund’ and an additional $100 million slush fund for the Governor.”
She also highlighted issues with taxpayer-funded health benefits: “This budget continues to provide taxpayer-funded Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors and other handouts to illegal immigrants, at a cost of more than $110 million to Illinois taxpayers.”
Concerns were also raised regarding educational funding: “This budget cuts funding for higher education. Our state universities are seeing a two percent reduction in funding from the Governor’s introduced budget.”
Hammond pointed out that no funds would be allocated to the State’s Rainy-Day fund next fiscal year: “There isn’t a backup plan when the Democrats’ fund sweeps and one-time revenues run out.” She warned that this could lead to future tax hikes.
The reduction of property tax relief grants was another point of contention: “Adding insult to injury, Democrats slashed property tax relief grants to help pay for their reckless spending,” she remarked.
Hammond concluded her statement with criticism over bipartisan cooperation: “Rather than working with Republicans on a responsible budget plan, Democrats once again chose to go it alone. This tax-and-spend budget is a disservice to my constituents and to families across Illinois.”
