SHELBYVILLE, IL…State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) joined a press conference alongside colleagues State Representative Chris Miller (R-Hillsboro), State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich), State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), State Representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville), and State Representative Marty McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) to discuss the looming budget pressures, wasteful spending, and the need for Illinois DOGE implementation.
Rep. Halbrook delved into the discussion by reporting on the money awarded to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-profits by the State of Illinois in the form of grants, when there is no oversight on what is being allocated and spent, unlike when funds are appropriated for state agencies.
“We are turning our attention to a staggering amount of taxpayer money—over a billion dollars—that’s being funneled to politically connected non-governmental organizations, or NGOs,” said Halbrook. “This wasn’t uncovered by government watchdogs, but by concerned Illinoisans and Republican legislators through our grassroots effort we call DOGE—the Department of Government Efficiency.”
“There are five reasons why taxpayers should be alarmed by this figure and question the government on why they are funding non-profits at all. First, there is no transparency since non-profits and NGOs are not held to the same Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) standards as government agencies, so taxpayers are unable to track where their money went. Next, the budget includes deliberately vague language so not even lawmakers are able to easily decipher what funding they are approving in appropriations hearings, Halbrook began.”
With just over two weeks left until scheduled adjournment, House Republicans have not heard or seen anything regarding the budget, which is the most time-consuming and daunting job of state legislators.
“We have expanded agency budgets beyond the scope, specifically including the Human Services budget, which used to be for helping seniors, single mothers, and people with disabilities,” Halbrook pointed out for this third point. “Additionally, this type of government spending undermines real charity, as only politically connected groups are being chosen for funding opportunities, leaving out faith-based groups and private charities. Finally, we are giving a blank check to politically-favored groups, whilst cutting out the very people we are supposed to be helping. We need to open the discussion to Illinoisans and allow them to pick which services are funded and which are not,” concluded Halbrook.
Rep. Halbrook and his colleagues are calling on the members of the General Assembly to put an end to these frivolous appropriations and be good stewards of Illinois tax dollars.
For more information, contact Rep. Halbrook at (217) 342-0220 or visit RepHalbrook.com.
###