Governor JB Pritzker gave his state of the state address and budget address Wednesday at noon and says that the State of Illinois is strong. Governor Pritzker spoke in front of a small group of people at the State Capital in Springfield and announced over $1 billion in relief from grocery, gas, and property taxes as well as payments to state pensions and the rainy day fund.

Governor Pritzker thanked health care workers for their hard work during the pandemic. He also promised licensing fees waived for 470,000 frontline healthcare workers, $180 million to expand the healthcare workforce, $140 million to mental health care providers, $70 million for mental health crisis response services, and $25 million to expand the pipeline of nurses through the Illinois Community College Board.  

The Governor says the state will end this fiscal year with a $1.7 billion dollar surplus thanks to revenues from corporate taxes, cannabis, online sales taxes, and income far exceeding projections. Comptroller Susana Mendoza has urged transparency throughout the bill paying process.

A big push from the Governor has been for the “rainy day fund.”  The hope is to add $900 million over the next two fiscal years. 

Another talking point for the Governor was support for small businesses and employers including waiving retail liquor license fees, $38 million for employer training, and $35 million for capital appropriations.

Governor Pritzker addressed the rising inflation costs.

The state is also getting rid of the grocery tax for this year and relief on property tax as well.

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Here is the full audio.