NW Illinois News

Li Arellano Jr., a senator representing Illinois' 37th District, has called for judicial oversight of state legislative power. He argues that gerrymandered maps result in flawed budget processes that violate transparency laws.

"I witnessed the effects of state-level corruption during the final weeks of the 104th General Assembly's spring session, including the Illinois Senate breaking the state's transparency laws required in the Illinois Constitution," said Arellano, State Senator 37th District (R), according to Facebook. "The question will be whether the gerrymandered Democratic majority on the Illinois Supreme Court will act with integrity on these violations, or whether they will continue to turn a blind eye. I call on them to be a check on the legislative branch's abuse of power. Corrupt mapmaking (which violates the Illinois Constitution) directly contributes to a corrupt budgeting process (which violates state transparency laws)."

Arellano's comments relate to a legal challenge initiated on June 5 by state Representatives Chris Miller, Blaine Wilhour, Adam Niemerg, Brad Halbrook, Jed Davis, and David Friess. These lawmakers are suing House Speaker Emmanuel Chris Welch and Senate President Don Harmon. They seek a temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement of Senate Bill 2510 during ongoing legal proceedings. The complaint also requests a permanent injunction to prevent Welch and Harmon from certifying SB 2510, House Bill 20755, and House Bill 1075—bills deemed essential for the fiscal year 2026 budget.

Screenshot of State Senator Li Arellano's June 5 Facebook post | State Senator Li Arellano's Facebook page

In a news release, Senator Chesney said that his legal challenge against the state budget is grounded in an alleged constitutional violation. He cited the constitutional requirement that every bill be read on three separate days in both the House and Senate before voting. This rule aims to ensure legislators comprehend what they are voting on, allow for deliberation, and protect taxpayers. "This is a deliberate and repeated subversion of the people’s Constitution," Chesney said. "When it’s all done in secret and there’s token debate, here’s what you get: a billion dollars in tax hikes, $43 million in property tax relief removed, and a $40 million earmark quietly slipped into the Speaker’s district."

According to Capitol News Illinois, the $55.2 billion spending proposal—comprising 3,363 pages—was delivered to lawmakers after 6 p.m. on May 30. The deadline for passing the budget with a simple majority was May 31. The plan excludes funding for undocumented immigrants aged between 42 and 64 but includes pay raises for lawmakers and wage increases for direct service providers.

Arellano previously served as mayor of Dixon starting in 2015. During his two-term tenure as mayor, he focused on restoring fiscal integrity, enhancing local infrastructure, and fostering economic development. After his terms as Dixon’s mayor ended, Arellano returned to the private sector where he owns two Jimmy John’s franchises, a frozen yogurt shop called The Frosted Spoon, and a commercial property leasing company. In addition to his business ventures, Arellano serves as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves and is currently a squad leader with the 317th Engineer Construction Company in Homewood, Illinois.