SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker celebrated the passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget just hours after Democrats passed the spending plan out of both chambers. Pritzker believes the budget will lower costs for Illinoisans and protect the state's fiscal health despite federal budget cuts.
Top Illinois Democrats told reporters Monday that affordability was the top priority as they crafted the $56 billion budget.
The spending plan includes $45 million for property tax relief grants and $70 million to help people losing SNAP benefits due to new federal eligibility standards. Democrats said the Fresh program will provide eligible Illinoisans a one-time $400 payment to their EBT cards on July 1.
"Honestly, we're working to survive a president of the United States [who] is attacking the people of Illinois and the people of the United States, particularly working families," Pritzker said.
The majority party froze the motor fuel tax, saving drivers from the 2% annual increase for at least six months. Still, Republicans said Democrats should've agreed to suspend the 5% sales tax on gas.
GOP leaders are also upset that budgeteers swept $150 million from the gas sales tax revenue to help fill holes in their spending plan.
"If you're a driver who is irritated by the high price of gas that you're paying, you should be extra irritated when you understand where the funds are going," said Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria).
This budget features new taxes on prediction markets, fantasy sports and cryptocurrency. However, the most notable tax will likely end up in a court battle with Facebook and other popular social media sites.
"My social media platform fee requires the social media giants to pay for the mental health and educational degradation that they've caused to our children," Pritzker said.
Republicans stressed this is the largest spending plan in Illinois history. While Democrats argue the new taxes will not impact everyday people, GOP leaders said everyone will pay more.
"No society in the history of Earth has taxed itself into prosperity, not one," said Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). "Never! A lot have collapsed under fiscal mismanagement but have never become prosperous."
Senate President Don Harmon said Illinois cannot undo every reckless decision made in Washington, but lawmakers can choose what kind of state it can be in this moment.
"Would we like to do more?" Harmon asked. "Of course, there's always more work to do. But leadership is about making responsible decisions in difficult moments."
Pritzker is expected to sign the budget in the coming weeks. The next fiscal year starts July 1.
Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
