Prairie State Wire

Jeanne Ives, a former state representative and founder of Breakthrough Ideas, has criticized the Illinois budget for including $1 billion in new taxes and what she describes as wasteful spending on non-governmental groups. This statement was made in a press release.

"We identified at least $1 billion going to bogus, euphemistically named NGOs in last year's budget," said Jeanne M Ives. "This year's budget is no different. This budget is even more pork-laden than previous ones. This Budget relies on nearly $1 billion in tax increases, just like last year."

The 2025 Illinois state budget has faced criticism for introducing over $1 billion in tax increases and being pushed through the legislature with limited public review. According to ABC7 Chicago, opponents argue that the new levies on sports betting, nicotine products, and business income could harm consumers and industries already under pressure. Democratic leaders defend the budget as necessary to fund key priorities like education and healthcare, while Republicans have called the process rushed and lacking transparency.

The budget includes more than $1 billion in new tax revenue, largely derived from sports betting, nicotine, and business sectors. Investopedia reports that the new structure imposes a per-bet tax on sports wagers—25 cents for the first 20 million bets and 50 cents on each one beyond that—potentially costing major firms tens of millions. Governor Pritzker has framed these measures as sparing everyday taxpayers while boosting state revenue.

Illinois state budgets have steadily increased funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with the 2025 budget appropriating $600 million, bringing the three-year total above $900 million. According to Breakthrough Ideas, this trend reflects a growing reliance on non-profits for service delivery. Critics argue that these grants lack sufficient oversight. The group contends that these allocations deserve more scrutiny to ensure they align with taxpayer priorities.

Jeanne Ives is a former Illinois state representative and founder of Breakthrough Ideas, a conservative public policy organization. Young America's Foundation notes that Ives served in the Illinois House from 2013 to 2018 and is a West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran. She has run for both governor and Congress, campaigning on platforms focused on fiscal conservatism, government accountability, and individual rights.