Illinois Senate GOP say Pritzker should prioritize Illinois families over migrants

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Senate Republicans told reporters Tuesday that lawmakers should not approve more funding to help migrants in Chicago.

The Pritzker administration spent more than $640 million to address the migrant crisis, but the governor will propose using $182 million more to help Cook County and Chicago.

Democrats and Republicans know the state is facing an $890 million deficit heading into the next fiscal year. Senate Republican leaders said the Fiscal Year 2025 budget should reflect priorities of Illinois families instead of new arrivals.

"Passing the largest budget in state history wasn't enough to fund this crisis that lands at his doorstep," said Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet).

The governor told reporters last week that thousands of asylum seekers continue to come to Chicago in desperate need of support and Congress refuses to act. Pritzker stressed that the state, county and city will have to do more to keep people safe.

Rose said the lack of transparency about funding has reached epic proportions. Rose also told reporters that he hopes Democratic leaders will allow Republicans to be at the table for budget negotiations over the coming months.

"Instead of more free healthcare for non-citizens, we want to see efforts to lower costs for Illinois citizens," said Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove). "Instead of non-citizen programs, we want to see efforts to make Illinois more affordable for working families, seniors and our most vulnerable populations. Instead of more efforts to skirt federal immigration officials, we want to see more funding for training and recruitment of police officers to make Illinois families safe."

Pritzker is scheduled to give his State of the State address in the Illinois House chamber around 12:00 p.m. Wednesday. WAND News will have full coverage of the speech and reaction from lawmakers.