Sangamon Sun

In the early hours of May 30, 2024, Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly passed a $53.1 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2025 without Republican support. This budget represents an increase of $2.6 billion from last year and includes pay raises for politicians and $1 billion allocated for non-citizens. Additionally, Democrats approved $1 billion in tax hikes to fund the new expenditures.

Over the past four years, Democratic lawmakers have significantly increased state spending under Governor Pritzker's administration. Since Fiscal Year 2020, state expenditures have grown by over $13 billion, rising from nearly $40 billion to more than $53 billion this year.

Republican lawmakers expressed strong opposition to the FY2025 budget:

Deputy Republican Leader Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) stated, "In just six years under Governor Pritzker, State spending has increased by more than $13 billion, a 32 percent increase. Illinois working families and seniors cannot afford to pay for all this massive spending."

Assistant Republican Leader Amy Elik (R-Alton) commented on the financial strain facing residents: "Hard-working Illinoisans are struggling to afford basic needs amidst high inflation and higher cost of living increases... I’m greatly concerned that the excessive spending this year and in the future can only be paid for by more and more tax hikes."

Rep. Mike Coffey (R-Springfield) criticized the focus on non-citizen funding: "This is a sobering moment for our state as we continue to spend millions on non-citizens at the expense of taxpayers while families are struggling to make ends meet."

Rep. Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) called for balanced governance: "This outcome is the sad reality of an out-of-balance state legislature... We must bring balance back to the Illinois government."

Assistant Republican Leader Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) lamented the lack of bipartisan cooperation: "Republican lawmakers were once again shut out from budget discussions despite our ongoing offers to be a part of the process."

Assistant Republican Leader Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) warned about future deficits: "My Republican colleagues and I have been warning that our state would face a deficit as federal COVID relief funds ran out... Well, this budget lays bare that problem as Democrats are ramming more than a billion dollars in tax increases down taxpayers’ throats."

Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) criticized over-taxation: "One of the biggest problems we have in Illinois is over-taxation of businesses and residents... This budget does not address the needs of our residents and instead doubles down on bad policies."

Assistant Republican Leader Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) highlighted concerns about priorities: “I am concerned with the way that Democrats’ spending plan prioritizes appropriations for non-citizens... I would have preferred a budget that prioritized tax cuts and spending cuts during this incredibly difficult financial time.”

For further details on Rep. Coffey’s commitment to his district, visit repcoffey.com.