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Republican leader says Illinois spending rose 40% under Pritzker and warns families are paying more
Summary
Republican lawmakers said state spending grew about 40% in eight years under Gov. J.B. Pritzker, leaving families with roughly $1,700 more in state and local taxes and uneven job growth; the claim was presented as an argument during a legislative press briefing and attributed to GOP leaders.
Republican floor leaders opened a press briefing by criticizing eight years of state spending under Governor J.B. Pritzker, saying that spending has increased by about $16,000,000,000 — roughly 40% — and that families are paying about $1,700 more each than the national average in state and local taxes.
The Republican leader (identified in the transcript as Leah Resin) said, "What are they getting for their $16,000,000,000 in 8 years of JB Pritzker?" and argued Illinois has some of the highest property taxes in the country and weak job growth compared with neighboring states. Senate Republican deputy leader Sue Rosen added that "Illinois families are being asked to pay more while getting less in return," and warned that Springfield may redirect unexpected sales-tax revenue from gasoline into budget items rather than returning relief to drivers.
Lawmakers framed the spending growth as connected to higher energy bills and reduced transportation funding for schools; the briefing included specific claims about transportation funding dropping from 84% to 66% and special-education transportation funding to 65% under the current administration. Those numeric claims were presented by speakers as assertions about state budget choices rather than independently verified figures in this briefing.
Next steps were procedural: leaders opened the session to questions from reporters and signaled continued debate as the legislature approaches final hours of the session.
