Prairie State Wire

Blaine Wilhour, the state representative for Illinois House District 110, said that Governor J.B. Pritzker's fiscal policies have added $15 billion in discretionary spending since 2019 without improving conditions for most residents.

"Unless you're a legal immigrant, your quality of life has probably not increased," said Blaine Jacob Wilhour, State Representative from Illinois. "He has blown the budget wide open. I came in here in 2019. We're spending $15 billion more just in our discretionary budget from when I came in."

Since taking office in 2019, Governor Pritzker has overseen substantial growth in state spending, with the general funds budget rising from $40 billion in FY2019 to $55.2 billion in the proposed FY2026 plan. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, this increase reflects a 38% jump in discretionary spending, driven by investments in healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Critics argue that this growth has outpaced the income of Illinois taxpayers, raising concerns about long-term fiscal sustainability.

Illinois' discretionary spending grew by approximately 38% between FY2019 and FY2026, increasing from $40 billion to $55.2 billion. The Illinois Policy Institute notes that this rate of spending outpaced the growth in taxpayer income by nearly 50%, prompting legislative proposals to tie future spending increases to the state's economic growth. Advocates argue this would better align government budgets with residents' financial realities.

Between July 1, 2022, and April 2024, Illinois taxpayers paid an estimated $2.84 billion for services provided to undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers. According to Representative Chris Miller, this total excludes education and other public service costs but includes healthcare and housing assistance. The figure has fueled political debates over the fairness and sustainability of such expenditures.

Wilhour is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives serving District 110 since 2023. According to Ballotpedia, he is a U.S. Army National Guard veteran and small business owner from Beecher City who advocates for fiscal restraint, lower taxes, and limited government. He has been vocal in opposing state spending he views as excessive, particularly regarding social programs for noncitizens.