Grundy Reporter

As Illinois anticipates a budget deficit exceeding $3 billion, Senate Republicans are urging Governor J.B. Pritzker to balance the state's finances without imposing additional taxes on residents and businesses.

The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget recently reported an estimated shortfall of $3.16 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. This has led to concerns regarding how Governor Pritzker intends to address the financial gap attributed to his administration's policies.

Since assuming office, Governor Pritzker has increased state spending by over 30%, reaching a record high of $53 billion in the last fiscal year. Senate Republicans have criticized this rise in expenditure, suggesting that temporary federal aid has been converted into enduring financial obligations for Illinois.

This projected deficit emerges shortly after Pritzker and his legislative supporters implemented tax increases nearing $1 billion. These were intended to support a budget that allocated more than $1 billion towards healthcare and other benefits for non-citizens.

A Chicago Tribune article recently underscored the GOP Senators' appeal for no new tax hikes: "With state facing $3B deficit, GOP senators call on Gov. JB Pritzker to promise no tax hikes."

State Senator Sue Rezin stated that Illinois residents are struggling financially and cannot afford further costs resulting from what she describes as Governor Pritzker’s budget crisis. She urged the Governor to focus on addressing the real issues affecting Illinois families rather than pursuing personal political goals, advocating for efforts to restore financial stability in the state.