SHELBYVILLE, IL… State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) issued the following statement after Gov. Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which spends $55.2 billion. The budget is reliant on one-time revenues and a billion dollars in tax hikes and fund sweeps, increasing by 38% since Gov. Pritzker took office in 2019.
“Governor Pritzker signed the largest budget in Illinois history today, making life harder and more expensive for already cash-strapped Illinoisans,” said Rep. Halbrook. “The budget spends millions on illegal immigrants, gives Democrats money for pork projects, gives lawmakers a pay raise, steals from the Rainy Day Fund, and continues to blindly give to non-government organizations (NGOs).”
“The budget failed to address property tax relief, the energy crisis, the severely unfunded Tier 2 Pension system, among other pressing issues bogging down Illinois families,” continued Halbrook. “This is insanity! Our citizens are unable to handle any more tax increases. Governor Pritzker went back on his word that he would cut spending, and now taxpayers are on the hook again to clean up the same old tax-and-spend Democrat mess.”
House Republicans strongly stood for no tax hikes, no new spending, and put forward countless policies to promote economic growth for families and businesses. The Democrat Supermajority refused to call any of the measures.
For more information, please contact Rep. Halbrook at (217) 342-0220 or by visiting RepHalbrook.com.
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