Illinois

Vallas: J.B. Pritzker’s $55.2B budget fuels Illinois’ financial death spiral

Published

12 months ago

June 27, 2025

Vallas: J.B. Pritzker’s .2B budget fuels Illinois’ financial death spiral

J.B. Pritzker wants a third term as Illinois governor, but based on his history of boosting taxes and creating spending records, can Illinois afford him for four more years? Will the state grow even smaller as Illinoisans get fed up and leave?

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently announced his plans to seek a third term, but can Illinoisans really afford another four years of him?

With the signing of Pritzker’s seventh budget, he paused his near-daily Trump bashing to declare, “After decades of mismanagement, Illinois is balancing our budgets, and the results are clear.” He framed the budget as a continuation of his administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and strategic investment.

Really, Gov. Pritznocchio?

Pritzker’s leadership has produced tax hikes, spending scandals and population loss – all of which are threats now and to Illinois’ future. “The results are clear,” all right, and here they are.

Tax, spending increases

Since taking office, Pritzker has increased state spending by more than $15 billion, far higher than previous Democratic or Republican governors, while burning through nearly $14 billion in one-time federal pandemic relief funds and hiking taxes and fees 49 times.

This represents a 37% jump since 2019.

Illinoisans already bear the highest combined state and local tax burden in the nation – averaging 16.5% of a family’s income. Despite these heavy burdens, Illinois ranks dead last in economic equity between Black and white residents, starkly contradicting Pritzker’s claim Illinois is a national leader in equity.

Pritzker tried to blame his multiple tax increases in this year’s budget as a precaution against the impact of Trump’s cuts. His relentless attacks on Trump, whether deserved or not, will ensure that at best the state and city will receive little help from the Trump administration, and at worst invite retaliation – which is the last thing Illinois needs.

Despite these record tax increases, the state is projecting a growing deficit, expected to hit $5.2 billion by fiscal year 2029. Illinois also holds the nation’s highest per capita debt, with government pension liabilities at $144 billion, although independent actuaries say the actual cost might be more than double that.

Combined state and local pension debt is twice the total of all neighboring states combined. Instead of reversing decades of mismanagement, Pritzker has aggressively used short-term gimmicks and chronic underfunding to make it worse. Pension contributions are $5.1 billion short of what experts said is needed to stay even.

Fiscal mishaps

Two scandals further encapsulate the fiscal recklessness of Pritzker’s tenure.

First, the Illinois Auditor General found the state overpaid $5.2 billion in fraudulent unemployment benefits in the first 18 months of the pandemic. Pritzker blamed the Trump administration, but the report found his Department of Employment Security delayed implementing anti-fraud safeguards recommended by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Additionally, the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program cost $1.6 billion through July 2024, which was over eight times the original estimate. Pritzker increased funding without legislative approval, continuing a pattern of executive overreach. He similarly ruled by executive order during the COVID-19 pandemic, issuing over 100 orders, including 40 disaster declarations which prolonged shutdowns of schools and the economy, inflicting unnecessary, lasting damage on children and businesses alike.

Job loss and exodus

The state’s May unemployment rate stood at 4.8%, well above the national average of 4.2%. More concerning, however, is Illinois’ post-COVID job growth is driven almost entirely by government hiring, not by private-sector job creation. Illinois added roughly 32,000 government jobs while losing a disturbing 16,200 professional and business service jobs.

More people dependent on taxes for their pay, fewer taxable jobs and more taxpayers are moving out.

Since 2010, Illinois has lost 1.6 million residents, ranking third nationally in population loss behind only California and New York. The exodus is not just retirees seeking warmer weather: Indiana and Wisconsin are now top destinations. A recent survey found 54% of participants cited high taxes as the No. 1 reason for wanting to leave Illinois, outpacing crime and school problems.

What’s worse, those leaving Illinois earn significantly more than those arriving. In 2022, the average taxpayers who left made $124,000 per year, while the average taxpayer who entered Illinois earned $86,000 per year. Since 2010, the difference in income between those departing and arriving to the state has grown from $5,519 to $37,922.

While research shows Illinois’ net loss of households to other states occurs in every single income and age bracket, the most alarming is the exodus of high-income young professionals, ages 26–35 and earning over $200,000. This demographic is most critical to future tax revenues and has the biggest immediate and long-term impact on Illinois’ tax base.

Illinois leaders are, whether by incompetence or design, driving out wealthier, tax-contributing residents while attracting lower-income, often government-dependent populations – including large numbers of undocumented immigrants. Under Pritzker’s leadership Illinois has spent over $2.5 billion in state and local funds on migrant support, not including education costs.

Illinoisans can’t afford another Pritzker term. His continuous spending and taxing spree leaves little room for optimism. Worse, the next term would lack any federal COVID relief.

With budget deficits mounting, residents should brace for even higher taxes and fees – further accelerating the departure of both individuals and businesses.

Pritzker is leading Illinois toward a financial death spiral, driven by over-taxation, overspending and political self-interest. He keeps calling it progress, but ignores that it is in a swirling, downward direction.

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Illinois

New Illinois bill aims to overhaul public defense system | The Chicago Report

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Press Room

New Illinois bill aims to overhaul public defense system | The Chicago Report

A major overhaul to the Illinois justice system could be officially underway.
House Bill 3363 lays the foundation for a brand new agency, the state public defender office.
The goal is to bring more consistent legal representation for Illinois residents who can’t afford an attorney.
Joining us now to discuss the rolled-out timeline is the bill’s sponsor, State representative Dave Vella, who actually started his legal career as a public defender, before heading to Springfield.

Posted June 26, 2026 7:06pm CDT

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Illinois

Illinois Democrats face backlash after blaming Trump in Chicago cross-burning case | Fox News Video

Published

12 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Press Room

Illinois Democrats face backlash after blaming Trump in Chicago cross-burning case | Fox News Video

‘Outnumbered’ reacts to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson blaming President Donald Trump for a cross-burning incident in Grant Park.

Illinois Democratic leaders Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are slammed for weaponizing a Chicago cross burning incident by blaming former President Trump. Despite the suspect, Murlin Lue, admitting his motive was to protest Trump, not racism, Pritzker and Johnson doubled down. Critics, including Illinois GOP State Rep. Chris Miller, accuse them of playing politics and fostering division rather than seeking truth.

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Illinois

Illinois Lt. Gov. candidates focus on affordability in pitch to Rockford voters

Published

22 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Press Room

Illinois Lt. Gov. candidates focus on affordability in pitch to Rockford voters

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – November ballots will feature a repeat of top billing in the race for governor. Illinoisans can once again choose between Governor JB Pritzker or Darren Bailey to lead the Land of Lincoln.

But beside their spots, new names will appear for voters.

The Democratic and Republican candidates for governor picked new running mates for their rematch. With Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton running for U.S. Senate, Pritzker picked Christian Mitchell to join his ticket. On the Republican side, Aaron Del Mar joins Bailey, who previously ran with Stephanie Trussell in 2022.

Mitchell and Del Mar spoke Thursday with WIFR on what inspires them to run, their campaign priorities and ideas to improve the Rockford region.

Backgrounds

Starting with the Democratic ticket, Mitchell joins the race as a former state representative from Chicago as well as a deputy governor with the Pritzker administration.

“Before anything else, I’m Debbie’s son, and I’m James’s grandson,” Mitchell introduced. “They’re the ones who really instilled in me the value of hard work and made sure that I was going to have a very bright future.”

Mitchell sees the role of lieutenant governor as a partner to the state’s executive.

“I’m really lucky to be running with somebody who I respect, and who I think is the best governor in the nation… Governor JB Pritzker,” he said.. “My first thing is going to be supporting his agenda, which right now is all about lowering costs and raising wages.”

On the Republican side, Del Mar hails from suburban Chicago and considers his first priority to be raising his family.

“I wanted nothing to do with politics, did not want to be involved — wanted just to raise my kids and work my job,“ said Del Mar. He described his start in public service as something he ”kind of got pulled into.”

The Republican worked his way from a city council member in Palatine, at 29-years-old, to co-chair of the Illinois GOP. Although he says he “wanted nothing to do with being on” Bailey’s campaign, Del Mar sees strength in unity — offering a Chicago area perspective alongside Bailey’s southern Illinois roots.

“How about everybody in the state of Illinois, regardless of where you come from, has a seat at the table. If you’re from a southeast farming community, or you’re from the city of Chicago, where I grew up, everybody has a stake in the game.”

Priorities

Mitchell points to economic development as his focus for the gubernatorial campaign.

“I see vacancies on State Street in Chicago. I see vacancies on Main Street in Belleville and Alton and in Carbondale,” he recounted. “I want to make sure that we’ve got the kind of amenities and economic development, that kind of affordability, that allow us to make sure that folks want to stay in the towns that they’re born in if they want to.”

The Democratic candidate also eyes long-term planning for the state, including an “Illinois 2050 Plan.”

“How do we have the kind of educational undergirding that means that no matter where you’re from, you have a chance to have one of those jobs, whether it’s in new agriculture technology and new farming techniques or biotech, quantum.”

When asked how to achieve these priorities, Mitchell turned to investing in public education, retaining residents with better wages and improving health care.

“Making sure that we are able to protect our health care system, so that folks aren’t going broke when they get sick, that’s another big way that we can make an impact.”

Del Mar outlined a cost-of-living focus as central to his campaign.

“You wanna succeed, you do the basics really well, and the basics are affordability,” he contended.

The Republican repeatedly highlighted the state’s property taxes — reportedly the highest in the nation — as an issue to tackle. He suggested redirecting Illinois’s budget as one measure to ease the burden on homeowners.

“Number one is fully funding the state’s portion of local taxes, because that will offer people property tax relief.” Del Mar clarified this wouldn’t mean redirecting funds for public education.

“We’re looking at how we fund schools, how we make sure to empower teachers to have the best educational outcomes that we can have here in Illinois, regardless of what your zip code is, regardless of what your parents do for a living or how much money they make,” added Del Mar.

Reflecting on Rockford

Each candidate provided their vision for boosting the Rockford region.

For Mitchell, improvements continue with infrastructure funding, building on the state’s roughly $500 million investment in the area.

“The things that we have already worked on, through the capital plan that I helped lead as deputy governor, that the governor signed and is implementing, are already having benefits that the people of Rockford can see.”

The Democrat also pointed to the Chicago Rockford International Airport as an opportunity.

“Investing in that regional airport where we’ve already helped with a matching grant to get additional funds, that helps build out the economy,” said Mitchell. “There’s so much that’s happening there that it is really good for the economy and bringing more people back to Rockford.”

Del Mar shared his local priority as supporting unionization in the area.

“Union families deserve to be able to have a livable wage, and that’s something that’s important to Darren and I,” said Del Mar. He mentioned pensions were another item that a Republican executive wouldn’t touch for the public and private sector unions.

“I know that area up there has strong union backbone,” described Del Mar. “We want to make sure they know that they’re not going to have a bigger supporter in the governor’s mansion than Darren and I.”