By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Republicans standing at attention, now that the General Assembly is back in Springfield.
On the first day of veto session, three months before the governor introduces his next budget, State Sen. Sally Turner (R-Beason) says it’s not hard to find something to cut.
“One of the biggest areas that the governor and his allies are out of touch is their massive spending on non-citizen programs,” Turner said. “When Gov. Pritzker took office, total spending on non-citizens was a few million dollars a year. And it has grown to at least $1 billion per year. That includes our first-in-the-nation free health care for non-citizen adults that has cost our taxpayers more than $2 billion since FY 2021.”
Gov. JB Pritzker says the budget will be balanced, despite a forecast from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget of a $3 billion deficit.
“On behalf of all Illinoisans, regardless of who they voted for, I am calling on Gov. Pritzker to pledge to not increase taxes on Illinois families and businesses in this upcoming budget year,” said Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove). “Illinois has real problems right here that need to be dealt with. It’s time for Gov. Pritzker to take a break from the national campaigns and to start to think Illinois.”
Curran told reporters Tuesday the voters of Illinois – in giving Donald Trump 2.4 million votes – sent a clear message that they’re sick of what Curran described as “incompetent governance.”
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]
