Illinois Legislature has released the new 2027 fiscal year (FY2027) budget, a budget totaling $55.9 billion. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker spoke about this new budget in a press conference, the day after the legislative session came to a close. The new budget was confirmed approved with a vote count of 76 to 39.
Governor Pritzker states that this budget would be aimed at protecting working Illinois families, and would help defend against inflation costs on certain things such as buying a car, groceries, or what consumers have to deal with at the gas pump. Pritzker also mentioned that he believes this bill will push the state into the biggest form of economic growth that Illinois has ever seen.
Other Legislators, such as Republican Senator Steve McClure, voted no on the passing of this specific budget. According to Senator McClure, he voted no because it is yet again, another year of a record high budget, and more tax increases.
Speaking from the Democratic side, Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza also weighed in on the new budget. In a recent press release, Comptroller Mendoza showed no issues with the budget, and said, “I am pleased to see the state legislature conclude their work on time to pass a state budget for the new fiscal year beginning July 1. The Fiscal Year 2027 budget provides for a spending plan of $55.9 billion. It maintains stable funding for state government services and funds key state priorities for needs like K-12 education, MAP grants for college students, social and human services, nursing homes, public safety and Safety Net Hospitals while also acknowledging more could be done in future budgets for the Critical Access Pharmacy Program and for Community-Based Service Providers.”
Another legislator in disagreement, is Republican State Representative Brad Halbrook, who believes that this new budget plan will not be as perfect as Governor Pritzker and the bills supporters may think. State Representative Halbrook claims that this is another “Smoke and Mirrors” form of trickery to mask the budget’s real plan to allegedly hike taxes.
Find more about Illinois legislation and house or senate bills by going online to www.ilga.gov.
