NW Illinois News

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently issued an Executive Order mandating 4% across-the-board budget cuts for state agencies in response to anticipated deficit spending. Agencies were given 30 days to submit plans for spending reductions and reserve management, but as of the deadline, no specific cuts have been announced.

Governor Pritzker has attributed some of Illinois' fiscal difficulties to actions by the federal government. However, concerns about the state's financial stability are longstanding. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget projects budget deficits not only for this fiscal year but also for each of the next five years.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie criticized the governor's approach, stating: "This was never about fiscal responsibility, it was about poking at Donald Trump and grabbing headlines. If the Governor was serious about fixing Illinois’ finances, he wouldn’t hide behind political theater. He would roll up his sleeves, lower spending, and enact real structural reforms to grow our tax base instead of shrinking our future."

McCombie further commented on previous attempts at addressing state finances: "We’ve seen this act before, empty orders, no follow-through, and more taxes on hardworking families. If he truly cared about our fiscal health, he’d stop chasing national headlines and start leading here at home."

Next week marks the final week of veto session in Springfield. According to McCombie, Democratic lawmakers are already considering new tax increases to address continued overspending.

"House Republicans are focused on protecting Illinois taxpayers from the real horror, out-of-touch spending and bloated budgets," McCombie said. "Instead of political stunts, we’re demanding accountability, transparency, and long-term relief. The scariest thing this season shouldn’t be Illinois families’ tax bills."

McCombie is a Republican who was elected in 2023 to represent Illinois' 89th House District in the State House after Andrew Chesney left the position.