Southland House and Senate Leaders React to Gov. Pritzker’s Budget Address (Springfield, IL) — Chicago Southland area leaders reacted with mixed feelings to Governor JB Pritzker’s Budget Address today. Governor Pritzker’s remarks and proposed FY 2025 budget focused heavily on education, the migrant crisis, and healthcare.

“The governor’s proposal sets a framework for us to begin having conversations to develop a final plan. We need a budget that is not only fiscally responsible but also considers parents, workers, seniors, veterans and farmers,” said Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex). “Today’s budget address had funding suggestions that our state needs to continue to prioritize such as education, public safety and economic development.”

Likewise, State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin (D-Matteson) said that the budget address was “an encouraging framework on which to build.” She was especially hopeful of Gov. Pritzker’s proposed health insurance insurance initiatives, one of which he called the Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act, which aims to curb predatory health insurance practices. He cited three major parts in the plan:

Banning utilization management, which requires “permission” from the insurance carrier for a patient to receive treatment;
Banning prior authorization for in-patient mental health care in children and adults;
Prohibit insurance companies from selling “junk plans” known as Short Term Limited Duration Plans.

Rep. Meyers-Martin said that she is “eager to pursue Governor Pritzker’s proposed legislation to streamline our health insurance eligibility regulations.”

State Representative Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee), though, was more critical of the proposed budget, saying that the budget is not balanced, citing a $775 million deficit in the proposal. “With record high inflation and taxes, Illinoisans cannot continue footing the bill for out-of-control spending. At a time when Illinois citizens are being forced to practice strict budgeting practices due to the current state of our economy, we should be doing the same.” Rep. Haas also criticized past budgeting processed, saying that Republicans in the house and senate are shut out of those meetings. “Since I came into office, the budget process has been the same each year: Democrats shut out Republican voices while having their discussions behind closed doors. This year, we need a more ethical, transparent process that brings everyone to the table.”

State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) also reacted to the address, asking for a responsible plan. “As we begin the budgeting process, it’s critical that we prioritize a responsible plan that respects taxpayers, supports our law enforcement and invests in our schools. We must take a balanced approach…”

The Illinois State Legislature is scheduled to be in session through May 24.

Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget
Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget
Fiscal Year 2025 Budget in Brief
FY25 Budget Toplines
Healthcare One-Pager
FY25 Budget Highlights One-Pager

Southland House and Senate Leaders React to Gov. Pritzker’s Budget Address