Pritzker's 2026 budget proposal is $500 million short
The legislature has been working for months from Pritzker's $55.2 billion blueprint that holds the line on new taxes for most Illinoisans, but the hole has lawmakers looking now at cuts to programs and services.
To raise revenue, the governor is proposing increased tax rates on table games at casinos, excluding those in Chicago, and a pause in the final transfer of state sales tax revenue on gas purchases to the state Road Fund. The state is also expected to save by eliminating a health care program for noncitizen immigrants under 65.
'Not only because of the federal government concerns but also a slow economy has us all concerned here hoping that we don't have to raise regressive taxes,' State Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) told WGN.
Even though money is tight, interest groups and local governments are pushing hard to boost funding. The Regional Transportation Authority is pushing for a bailout, saying that without state help, the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace would be forced to implement deep service cuts. In a March 'doomsday' report, transit officials said those cuts would deal a 'devastating' blow to the regional economy.
Leaders of the Democratic supermajority warn there's not much wiggle room in the budget.
'We've conditioned our members to understand how tight this budget year is going to be,' said Senate President Don Harmon. 'That won't eliminate spending pressures, but I think people understand this is a different year than last year or the year before.'
Republicans point out state budgets have grown from $40 billion in Pritzker's first year to $55 billion for fiscal year 2026. Meeting with reporters in Springfield with a podium sign that read, 'It's time to DOGE Illinois,' the GOP lawmakers urged cuts.
'We don't have a money problem, we've got a focus problem. We've got a priorities problem,' said Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham).
A spokesperson for the governor said that Ford 'is not a budgeteer,' and Deputy Governor Andy Manar in a statement said Pritzker and his office of management and budget will continue working closely with legislators 'to deliver a balanced budget that keeps Illinois on a stable fiscal path while safeguarding the services families depend on.'
Harmon and Illinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch both said they're going to pass the budget with the information that they have now, but will adjust if Washington makes drastic cuts. They might even have to return to work this summer.
While Democrats hammer out final budget details, Pritzker was in Washington on Tuesday, fielding questions about his political ambitions. Per his official schedule, the governor has been meeting with CEOs and international trade partners at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in an effort to encourage more businesses to choose Illinois.
During an afternoon interview on CNN, Pritzker again claimed he has yet make a decision about a third term, saying in part, 'the question is how can I best participate in the fight, and so whether that's being governor or not, whether that's, potentially, in the future running for president, it's just, to me, about we've got to win in 2026.'
Pritzker later told CNN's Kasie Hunt: 'My focus is on lifting up the people of the state of Illinois, advancing the cause of the economy for our state, and making sure that I'm bringing what I have been, I think, for the last six and a half years, which is fiscal stability to a state that really wasn't stable for many years before.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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