AGRICULTURE | PORK PROJECTS | ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FUNDING

AGRICULTURE

Corn, soybean harvests have begun in Illinois. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which tracks farming activities in all 50 states, reported that as of the beginning of this week, 12% of the fields planted to corn had been harvested, and 9% of the fields planted to beans had been cut. Both numbers are well ahead of the five-year average for this date.

Conditions for Illinois' two major cash crops remain relatively good, with 56% of the corn rated as good to excellent and 52% of the beans rated as good to excellent. The same dry conditions that have brought harvesting machinery into the arable fields have, however, created challenges for owners and operators of grasslands. Only 16% of Illinois pastures are in good to excellent shape; operators that run grazing animals, especially cattle, or who harvest hay are looking for more rain to come to our state. In southern Illinois, the planting of winter wheat has begun.

IMMIGRATION

Protecting Our Communities, House Republicans Sponsor Legislation to End Sanctuary State Policies. When former President Joe Biden took office, he flung the southern border of the United States wide open. During his tenure, millions of illegal immigrants poured into the country, overwhelming local, county, and state government resources and costing taxpayers billions of dollars. Out-of-control illegal immigrant crime also took hold, with horrifying examples of gang activity, carjacking, theft, assault, sexual assault, and murder dominating headlines and disrupting life for American citizens.

While Republicans warned that the crisis was spiraling out of control, liberal Governor JB Pritzker and Supermajority Democrats pretended a problem didn't exist. The governor and his legislative allies favor an Illinois law named the TRUST Act, which encapsulates Illinois' Sanctuary State laws. House Republicans have been sounding the alarm for years as to the cost both to taxpayers and to the law enforcement community when dealing with the problem of illegal immigration and the lack of cooperation with the Federal government in removing dangerous illegal criminals from the United States since President Trump took office in January 2025.

A legislative effort to repeal the dangerous and failed Sanctuary State policies of the state of Illinois has taken root in the House Republican Caucus. State Representative Chris Miller says Governor Pritzker likes to avoid talking about the reality of our illegal immigration crisis and the out-of-control crime.

"Joe Biden's immigration policies were designed to let criminals, cartels, and terrorists into America to roam free while collecting taxpayer handouts," said Miller. "Now, we are watching in real time JB Pritzker going to extreme measures to protect illegal immigrants and using dangerous rhetoric that is motivating acts of violence against federal and local police officers across Illinois. I filed HR0466 to impeach the governor for being a national security threat by inciting violence."

Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer is the lead sponsor of House Bill 1317, legislation that would repeal the TRUST Act. Davidsmeyer says more than half a million illegal immigrants in Illinois have cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

"Governor Pritzker's failed sanctuary state policy has cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars and made our communities less safe," said Rep. Davidsmeyer. "With 550,000 illegal immigrants in Illinois, we should be working with the Trump Administration to detain and deport dangerous criminal aliens. That's why I filed HB 1317 to repeal the TRUST Act and end Illinois' failed sanctuary state policy."

State Representative Mike Coffey echoed his colleagues' sentiments, pointing out that illegal immigrants are treated better by the Pritzker Administration and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate than Illinois citizens.

"I talk to folks from my district often who are working full-time and struggling to pay for healthcare while migrants are receiving free Cadillac healthcare, and it's not fair to Illinois citizens," said Rep. Coffey. "House Republicans have championed legislation that would end Illinois' TRUST Act policies and put Illinois citizens first. We must protect our communities, and it starts with commonsense legislation that improves the quality of life for Illinois taxpayers."

Estimates peg the total cost of illegal immigrant services provided by the State of Illinois at more than $3 billion. HB 1317 remains stuck in the infamous House Rules Committee, awaiting a public hearing and vote.

(VIDEO) Rep. Miller Wants Pritzker To End Illinois' Illegal Immigration

Illinois Needs Real Budget Transparency, Not Excuses

Governor Pritzker is blaming Washington for a crisis he created. Since taking office, he has increased state spending by roughly 40% and just signed the largest budget in Illinois history.

Transparency first. House Republicans have demanded real transparency across agencies and the budget process, including time to review billion-dollar bills and clear accounting of dedicated funds. The current process hides the ball and fails taxpayers.

Agency mismanagement. Shining a light on agencies would help fix services for Illinoisans and target funding where it actually works. Even Senator Andy Manar asked agencies on May 7, 2024 to identify $800 million in collective savings. Not a single cut was presented for public review.

The result. Illinois families were handed a $55.2 billion FY 2026 budget, about $2 billion higher than last year, along with $1 billion in tax hikes and fund sweeps. This showed little restraint and ignored the very "threat to our fiscal condition" the Governor talks about. The so-called "balanced" plan leans on fund sweeps, delayed rainy-day deposits, and cuts to priorities like education, public safety, and property tax relief.

"The Illinois budget has ballooned year over year with JB Pritzker in charge and rather than cut wasteful spending, we will stretch the tax dollar just a little further until eventually we've raised every fee, fine, surcharge, business tax, and gambling tax. We are taxed to death," said Rep. Miller. "Every time we allow Pritzker and the Majority party to pass a budget that spends recklessly, covers up deficits with fee and tax increases, and uses altered projections to fit their narrative ignoring the reality of our future, we put more burden on the backs of our taxpayers and kick the can down the road on our looming fiscal disaster."

Where to cut, today:

Migrant spending

○ HBIA elimination noted, but HBIS still funded at $110 million

○ $40 million for Welcome Centers, reduced from $140 million but still significant

○ $40 million for Immigration Integration

○ $35 million for immigrant services such as legal support

Pork projects

○ "Fund for Illinois' Future," a partisan slush fund, receives a $370 million GRF transfer and sweeps from other funds, with a $420 million balance

○ $40 million for Proviso Township High School District 209, in Speaker Welch's district, for capital improvements and an outdoor sports complex at Proviso West

Bottom line. This crisis did not start in D.C. It is the product of years of unchecked spending, gimmicks, and a closed-door process in Springfield. House Republicans stand ready with concrete cuts and a transparent, line-by-line budget review that protects taxpayers and focuses on core services.