SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois House Democrats approved the $55.2 billion budget shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday. 

Their spending plan prioritizes investments for education, healthcare, and human services even though tough cuts had to be made across many agencies.

House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) said her caucus crafted a budget that is fiscally and socially responsible because "the decisions made in Washington are neither."

"Erratic leadership in Washington has affected our economic outlook, our revenue projections, and even threatened federal funding for our most crucial services," Gabel said. "That's why it's so important that this budget before us today maintains our commitments to the things we value."

House Republicans did not appreciate the fact the Democrats described hard decisions they made while increasing spending by $2 billion. They also blasted Democrats for diverting road funds to pay for their own priorities.

"We're robbing the road fund to pay for operating expenses of the state of Illinois," said Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria). "We're offering a wage increase, a de minimus wage increase, to DSPs while reducing their hours, but legislators are going to come out great here making almost $100,000."

The appropriations plan passed out of the House on a 75-41 vote. Democrats Stephanie Kifowit and Larry Walsh voted against the budget. Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) was excused for that portion of the evening.

Senate Democrats also approved the budget bill around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. The budget includes continued funding for economic opportunity and tourism. Public safety will also see a boost with $2.7 billion in funding.

Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) explained all districts will receive money regardless of who they voted for.

"Budget is spent in every district across the state of Illinois from Cairo to Chicago to Waukegan to the Quad Cities," Sims said. "The budget spends everywhere that means that includes Republican districts and Democratic districts."

Senate Republicans strongly opposed the spending plan. They criticized the reduced funding in afterschool programs and no increase in funding for the developmentally disabled. 

Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said the Democrats are using the Trump administration as an excuse to pass a bad budget.

"You guys have outdone yourself this time," Rose said. "I mean, the folks back home, when they wake up and find out what happened tonight, you can blame whoever you want to try and blame." 

The appropriations bill passed out of the Senate on a 34-23 vote with four Democrats voting against it, including Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield). 

Now, the appropriations plan, budget implementation bill, revenue package and bonding legislation head to Gov. JB Pritzker's office.

"The passage of the FY26 balanced budget is a testament to Illinois' fiscal responsibility," Pritzker said. "Even in the face of Trump and Congressional Republicans stalling the national economy, our state budget delivers for working families without raising their taxes while protecting the progress we are making for our long-term fiscal health." 

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