Illinois Republicans ask for no new taxes and transparency in funding ahead of Governor's budget address

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Senate Republicans demanded the Pritzker administration create no new taxes ahead of Gov. JB Pritzker's budget address coming Wednesday.

The budget deficit for financial year 2026 was predicted to be $3.2 billion, but a new report from the Governor's Office of Management and Budget said the deficit will only be $1 billion.

State Senate Republicans Budget — Deputy Leader Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris), Illinois Senate Republican Leader Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove), and Chief Budgeteer Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet)
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Still, lawmakers have spent time trying to find the best place to cut spending, with Republicans making their funding woes clear. The GOP wants to cut funding to migrant welfare programs, saying this is the best way to fix the budget deficit.

Republicans also want more transparency on how state funds are being used, uncertain of the amount of money that is being spent on Illinois migrant welfare programs.

Senate Minority Leader John Curran (R-Lemont) said Republicans are ready to work in a bipartisan way as long as Pritzker and Democrat lawmakers focus on Illinois needs.

"I am here and we are here, to work with my Senate Democrat colleagues and to work with the Governor in doing what is right and what is best for Illinois taxpayers," Curran said.

Senate Republicans were critical on the budget spending habits of the Pritzker administration. Illinois' budget has increased spending by 32% since 2019, but that's mainly due to COVID-19 relief funds given to the state by the federal government.

However, the COVID relief funds have ran out. With a roughly $13 billion spending increase since Pritzker has come into office, Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said the state's budget increase is unacceptable.

"How is this even possible?" Rose said. "Talk about growing the budget. Gov. Pritzker has blown up the budget. Now that the federal COVID money has gone away, you see in November they say it's a $3.2 billion deficit that miraculously today is now only a billion are you serious?"

Rose also demanded no new taxes to be put on Illinoisans to fix the budget. Yet, Pritzker has said Illinois government should not increase taxes to show the state "can govern itself."

Pritzker will give his budget address on Wednesday, showing what the Democrat Governor would like to see in fiscal year 2026.

Democrats could make the budget without any help from Republicans, but the GOP hope they are brought to the table.