Carbondale Reporter

Governor JB Pritzker has signed the FY 26 Illinois state budget, which includes $1 billion in taxes, fees, and fund sweeps to support a $55.2 billion spending plan. State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) responded critically to the new budget.

Severin stated, “It’s another year, and yet another set of tax hikes and one-time gimmicks to fund another record-spending budget. Illinois Democrats just simply cannot help themselves when it comes to increasing the size of government and raising taxes to pay for more programs." He expressed concerns about several elements of the budget, including a pay raise for politicians, a $100 million discretionary fund for Governor Pritzker, and significant funding for Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS).

Severin emphasized his opposition by saying, "I voted NO. We must rein in our spending and get Illinois’ fiscal house back in order, or our citizens will continue to be taxed to the limit by Democrats who insist on growing the size and scope of government and raising taxes on our people to pay for it.”

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