Rep. Keicher Responds to Passage of FY26 Illinois Budget

Following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Illinois budget, a $55.2 billion budget that increases state spending by $2 billion more than last year and includes $1 billion in tax hikes, House Republican Conference Chair Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) released the following statement:

“In a mere six years under Governor Pritzker and with gerrymandered Democrat majorities in the legislature, the state budget has ballooned from $40 billion to more than $55 billion. That $15 billion increase amounts to a 38% increase in spending. 38% increase in just six years! But all that extra spending has done virtually nothing to improve services for the families, seniors and most vulnerable in our society.

“Yet, Democrats are again doubling down on the same failed economic and budgeting strategy that has caused our state to fall behind all our neighboring states for years. This budget takes from the road fund, funds more pet projects for Democrats, gives legislators a pay raise – while working families are struggling to make ends meet, and adds insult to injury with $1 billion in tax hikes.

“Government doesn’t have its own money; what it spends, it takes from the people. The people deserve a budget that puts families and economic opportunity first, not another budget crafted behind closed doors with tax hikes that will only drive more people out of Illinois.”

For more information about Rep. Keicher, visit RepKeicher.com.