Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed the state’s new budget for the 2027 fiscal year, a spending plan that totals nearly 56 billion dollars and marks the largest budget in Illinois history.

The budget was signed in Chicago earlier this week, with supporters saying the plan continues investments in areas including state services, programs, and priorities across Illinois. However, opponents of the budget say the spending plan comes with concerns over new revenue sources.

State Representative Brad Halbrook voted against the budget, saying he has concerns with the spending plan and its impact on Illinois taxpayers. Halbrook calls this budget signing by Governor Pritzker a, “Milestone”, by enacting his 60th tax and fee hike with the signing of this budget. Halbrook also says that Governor Pritzker continues to blame the Trump Administration for his financial concerns, all while the Illinois governor has extracted $77 Billion dollars from Illinois families.

The budget includes nearly 800 million dollars in new revenue generated through changes involving taxes on social media platforms, sports betting, prediction markets, and changes to how Illinois handles certain federal tax breaks.

Critics of the plan argue those changes could hurt the state’s business climate and place additional financial pressure on residents. The budget also includes a 3.2 percent pay increase for state legislators and elected state officials, which has drawn criticism from some lawmakers.

Halbrook says the budget process and the decisions made by lawmakers will have long-term impacts on the state’s financial future. The governor says the budget represents a continued commitment to funding important services while addressing the needs of communities across Illinois.

For more information on the approved 2027 fiscal year budget go online to budget.illinois.gov.