Prairie State Wire

Even though the state is bleeding taxpaying residents, the Democrat majority is on the verge of busting a new spending record through a $53.1 billion budget. 

Among the controversial expenditures in the proposal, which is expected to pass in the House at any time, is nearly $1 billion on care for illegal migrants - approximately $629 million on their healthcare, $182 million for direct services and $160 million for welcoming centers, according to The Center Square.

"We actually raised your taxes just to spend on migrants," said Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich), who voted on Sunday against the proposal, as did all Republicans in the Senate. The House is taking up the matter on Tuesday. 

The version passed by the Senate 38-21 includes more than $1 billion in tax increases, which in large part will come by way of capping business net operating losses at $526 million and from a $200 million tiered sports betting company tax, The Center Square reported.

Two Senate Democrats voted against the budget bill - Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) and Suzy Glowiak-Hilton (D-Western Springs).

State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Vandalia) said it was no wonder why families and businesses continue fleeing Illinois as spending has been hiked by 32% - $13 billion - under Gov. JB Pritzker's administration. 

"Democrats think spending money is investing," Pummer said. "As I said (Sunday) night on the Senate floor, I don’t know if this is news to some people or not but just spending money isn't investing. When you invest, you measure results. The results under this governor and his legislative allies have been terrible for average Illinoisans." 

In 2023, 87 of 102 counties in Illinois saw population loss. In all, the state's population decreased by 32,826 residents.

Other goodies in the Senate's budget - which provided Pritzker much of what he requested plus another approximate $400 million - is a 5% pay raise for Senate and House members whose salaries will go from $89,250 to $93,712. Lawmakers' pay also is boosted through stipends for leadership, committree chairmanship and mileage.

Primary and secondary education will receive approximately 20% of the budget, or $13.4 billion, and the state's woefuly underfunded pension systems will receive approximately 19%, or $10 billion.

The revenue plan also includes tax incentives and credits for things like quantum computing, and hiring local journalists and ex-felons, according to The Center Square.

Budget documents show the state expects to receive $43 billion in individual, corporate, and sales taxes in fiscal year 2025, which begins July 1. Lottery and gambling revenue is expected to largely account for the remaining $10 billion.