Kane County Reporter

In the early hours of Wednesday, Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly approved a $53.1 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025, marking the largest spending plan in state history. The budget passed without Republican support and includes pay raises for politicians and $1 billion allocated for non-citizens. To fund this record-breaking expenditure, Democrats also voted for $1 billion in tax hikes.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) criticized the budget as "a negligent political document that comes at a massive price to Illinois families." Deputy Republican Leader Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) expressed concerns about the increase in state spending under Governor Pritzker, noting that it has risen by more than $13 billion over six years. Assistant Republican Leader Amy Elik (R-Alton) voiced worries about how high inflation and cost of living increases are affecting Illinoisans.

Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) highlighted issues with over-taxation: "This budget once again calls for huge tax increases... This budget, crafted by Democrats with no Republican involvement, does not address the needs of our residents."

The approval process was contentious. Despite holding a supermajority, it took Democrats three attempts to pass House Bill 4951, which included over $1.1 billion in revenue increases such as tax hikes on sportsbooks and businesses. Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) criticized the procedural maneuvers used to secure passage: "You – you passed these rules," he said, accusing Democrats of pushing through tax increases early in the morning.

Meanwhile, Gov. J.B. Pritzker may have another opportunity to create a task force to study Illinois' property tax system after Senate Bill 3455 advanced both chambers despite some opposition.

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) questioned the efficacy of another study: “People are leaving this state in droves because of high property taxes... We want to do another bill that will do nothing and go nowhere.”

Additionally, new data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security revealed that unemployment rates increased year-over-year in thirteen metropolitan areas while decreasing in one area as of April 2024. The statewide unemployment rate stood at 4.4%, with higher rates observed in metro Danville (5.3%), Decatur (5.7%), Kankakee (5.7%), and Rockford (5.9%). Unemployment figures were notably higher compared to neighboring states and national averages during the same period.