Pritzker’s Blame Game Won’t Make Life More Affordable for Illinois Families

Governor JB Pritzker delivered his annual Budget/State of the State Address Wednesday to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly.

Governor Pritzker's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget is a record-high $56 billion, nearly a billion dollars more than last year's enacted budget. Pritzker's spending plan relies on $728 million in new revenue, including new taxes on social media platforms and higher gaming taxes.

Deputy Republican Leader Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Pritzker's budget address:

"Today was déjà vu all over again, as Governor Pritzker doubled down on his political attacks on President Trump. Pritzker remains focused on running for president rather than working to address the many problems facing Illinois.

"When President Trump and Republicans in Congress delivered tax relief for the American people, JB Pritzker and Democrat leaders said, 'Not in Illinois.'

• Permanent tax relief for working families and seniors - Not in Illinois
• Real relief for everyone, from small businesses to tipped workers - Not in Illinois
• Education scholarship tax credits - Not in Illinois

"Governor Pritzker needs to stop blaming President Trump for the problems Pritzker created here in Illinois:

• Record spending, billions in new taxes and fees, skyrocketing energy costs, and an economy that is failing our families
• 550,000 illegal immigrants that cost Illinois taxpayers billions in healthcare benefits
• High error rates in our Medicaid and SNAP programs, that could cost us billions more.

"Rather than cut the waste, fraud, and abuse in the system, Pritzker again chose to blame Trump. Governor Pritzker's blame game won't make life more affordable for Illinois families.

"I will continue to advocate for real solutions that address affordability by reining in out-of-control government spending, cutting taxes for working families and seniors, and opposing Pritzker's tax hikes. Illinois families deserve real relief, not another bill to pay."