SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois House of Representatives approved the state's Budget in the early hours of Wednesday, May 29, sending it to Pritzker's desk. Now, Pritzker and other government officials are responding to the plan.Â
“For the sixth consecutive year, the General Assembly and I have a balanced budget that uplifts the working families of Illinois, saves more money in our Rainy Day fund, creates jobs, lowers taxes on small businesses, grows our economy, and continues our track record of fiscal responsibility," said Pritzker in a statement. "From expectant mothers and their newborn babies to people with disabilities to veterans to seniors who need our care, we’re keeping our promises to all Illinoisans and the most vulnerable among us."
Pritzker goes on to indeed confirm he plans to sign the bill.Â
"My deepest thanks to Speaker Welch, President Harmon, the budget teams, and every legislator and stakeholder who came together to craft and pass this legislation," wrote Pritzker. "I look forward to signing it and continuing the work of building an even stronger Illinois.�
The FY25 Budget allocates $53 billion for Illinois. House lawmakers worked deep into the night to produce the quality plan, not reaching an agreement until after 2 a.m.Â
The plan, if passed, will cause an increase to sports wagering taxes and a limit for corporate tax deductions.Â
A number of Illinois leaders are speaking out about the plan. Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza agreed with Governor Pritzker's decision to sign the bill.Â
"I applaud lawmakers for their hard work this session, increasing investments in K-12 and early childhood education, career and technical programs, college MAP grants, after school programs and services for people with developmental disabilities," wrote Mendoza. "The budget also supports Illinois� healthcare network, especially Illinois� nursing homes and pharmacies and funds two new Illinois State Police cadet classes."
The plan is seeing its fair share of opposition, though. Illinois Representative and House Republican Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst fears the plan will increase taxes too much for Illinois residents.Â
â€I am concerned with the way that the Democratsâ€� spending plan prioritizes appropriations for non-citizens to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars and at the same time increases taxes on individuals, working families, and businesses,â€� said Windhorst. “While I understand the state of Illinois faces budgetary pressures, I would have preferred a budget that prioritized tax cuts and spending cuts during this incredibly difficult financial time for taxpayers.â€�
Illinois Senator Terri Bryant pointed out the bill leans more toward government programs than resident benefits.Â
"Once again, Governor Pritzker and his allies have set a new state budget record � increasing spending by 32 percent since he first took office. And once again, we are prioritizing spending funds on non-citizen programs instead of properly funding Direct Support Professionals, the people who take care of our state’s most vulnerable population," said Bryant. “For years, Senate Republicans have warned Governor Pritzker and his allies that the use of temporary federal funds and unexpected revenue to create and grow new permanent spending was leading the state towards a fiscal cliff. Now, thanks to their desire to spend $1 billion per year on non-citizens, the citizens of our state will see increased taxes, so the Majority Party can hang onto the ledge of their irresponsible fiscal cliff."
Stay tuned to WSIL News 3 for the latest regarding the budget plan.