SPRINGFIELD, IL… State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) issued the following statement after the FY26 budget passed on a partisan vote late Saturday night.
The FY 26 budget spends $55.2 billion, nearly $2 billion more than last year, including raising another $1 billion in taxes.
“The spending outlined in the FY26 Budget is completely out of control,” said Rep. Halbrook. “Our citizens cannot afford more spending, misplaced priorities, higher taxes, and more inflation. In fact, many families and businesses are leaving Illinois, which means a higher financial burden on those who remain.”
“In just six years, under Governor Pritzker’s watch, Illinois taxpayers are on the hook for over $15 billion in additional state spending, which is a 38% increase!” Halbrook said. “This budget lacks transparency and rams an additional $1 billion in tax hikes down the throats of cash-strapped Illinoisans, who reap little to no benefits.”
“As a reward for all of their ‘hard work, ‘ raising taxes and spending money we don’t have, Democrats rewarded themselves with a large pay raise and $1.5 million for each of their districts for pork projects, leaving behind the 4 million Illinoisans represented by Republican legislators,” Halbrook said. “As Illinois’ economy continues to lag well behind neighboring states, we continue to punish the residents that choose to stay with high taxes and little reward.”
“Simply put, this budget works for Governor Pritzker and his core constituencies, not for hardworking Illinoisans.”
For more information, please contact Rep. Halbrook at (217) 342-0220 or by visiting RepHalbrook.com.
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