McLean County Times

Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a $53.1 billion spending plan this week, marking the largest budget in Illinois state history. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget is $2.6 billion more than last year’s enacted budget and includes pay raises for politicians and $1 billion allocated for non-citizens. Additionally, Democrats voted for $1 billion in tax hikes to fund the increased spending.

Over the past four years, the Democrat-controlled General Assembly has supported Governor Pritzker's push for increased government spending. Since the Fiscal Year 2020 budget, Democratic lawmakers have approved an increase in state expenditures by more than $13 billion, from nearly $40 billion in 2020 to over $53 billion this year.

In addition to the budget, several other pieces of legislation were debated during the final weeks of the spring session.

Senate Bill 3350 aims to make it easier for the public to access life-saving fentanyl test strips. House Bill 681 seeks to address errors in how the state’s Prisoner Review Board handles parole hearings of violent offenders and notifies victims of potential releases. Senate Bill 2781 creates the Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act, which mandates that the Department of Natural Resources prepare a comprehensive grant plan for preserving natural areas in Illinois.

However, some legislation raised concerns. House Bill 4720 will share personal income data of all Illinois taxpayers with the Treasurer’s office for marketing purposes without taxpayer notice. Despite bipartisan objections, this bill narrowly passed. Senate Bill 3157 was criticized as an attack on religious freedom; it would have allowed the Treasurer to deny some non-profits access to state programs based on their religious beliefs. Vigorous debate led to its withdrawal from consideration.

House Bill 4582 removes a provision requiring school boards to seek voter approval via referendum for certain types of bonds. This bill is now awaiting the Governor's signature.

In another development, a Sangamon County Judge halted legislation that changed election rules mid-cycle after finding it unconstitutional. The law prevented political parties from slating candidates when none had been on the primary election ballot, leaving many incumbents unopposed for reelection. The judge ruled that preventing parties from slating candidates “places a severe restriction on the fundamental right to vote.”

In local news, a recent I-CASH event hosted by our Pontiac district office in partnership with the IL State Treasurer’s Office successfully returned funds to constituents who came to claim their cash.