General Assembly Passes $55 Billion Budget

The Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its spring legislative session with the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, totaling more than $55.2 billion. The spending plan represents a $2 billion increase over the previous fiscal year and drew sharp criticism from House Republicans, who said they were excluded from the process and decried what they see as unchecked spending and new tax burdens.

Since Governor JB Pritzker took office in 2019, the state’s operating budget has grown significantly—from $40.3 billion to the current $55.2 billion. Despite calls earlier this year for fiscal caution, the budget includes approximately $1 billion in tax increases and new revenue, which Republican lawmakers argue will further strain Illinois families and businesses.

During his Budget Address in February, Governor Pritzker said, “If you come to the table looking to spend more – I’m going to ask you where you want to cut.” Republicans now say that statement rings hollow in light of the final spending plan.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said the budget fails to address long-term fiscal stability.

“Rather than pursuing meaningful structural reforms to secure our state’s future, Democrats chose to prioritize politician pay raises, steal from the rainy-day fund, and funnel money into their own pork projects,” McCombie said.

Deputy House Republican Leader Norine Hammond echoed those concerns, calling the plan “completely irresponsible.”

“It’s a $55 billion budget that relies on $1 billion in new taxes, a massive number of fund sweeps, and hundreds of millions of dollars in Road Fund diversions,” Hammond said. “What’s in this budget? Pay raises for politicians. Nearly $250 million in pork projects for Democratic legislators aka the ‘Democratic Majority Slush Fund’ and an additional $100 million slush fund for the Governor.”

Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer was also critical, pointing to what he called misplaced priorities.

“The Democrats’ wasteful spending plan is full of pork projects and pay raises for politicians, while Illinois families are slammed with new taxes that will make their cost of living even higher,” Davidsmeyer said. “$250 million in pork projects for Democratic legislators, paid for $1 billion in new taxes on Illinois families and businesses. It’s the same disgraceful playbook they’ve used for years.”

Assistant Republican Leader John Cabello added: “This budget doesn’t reflect Illinois values—it reflects bad governance. Every dollar spent on enabling Illinois’ financial crisis is a dollar taken away from the law-abiding Illinoisans who pay their taxes, play by the rules, and now feel abandoned by their government.”

House Republicans say they offered to collaborate on a balanced, no-tax-hike alternative but were once again left out of negotiations. The FY26 budget is now headed to the governor’s desk for final approval.