Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Great Illinois The Spending Spree - February 2025
Yesterday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker delivered what Shia Kapos at Politico (screenshot below) described as a 'combined State of the State and Budget Address' to the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield.
For the most part (and despite the early days of blogging being *in* politics), I have veer'd my blog into the [garden diary] lane and out of the [politics] lane.
But, I was struck by the moment this week in Illinois. Shia's column (or newsletter) lead with Pritzker's speech and how MSNBC's Rachel Maddow was so inspired by Governor Pritzker's speech that she 'opened her show playing three minutes of it."
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Screenshot of Politico Illinois newsletter about Pritzker's budget address |
I am not a state budget expert (nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night), but I've read some of the coverage coming out of the speech and there's certainty some good news and some...well...not so good news. At least for Illinois and Illinois taxpayers.
As someone who is being mentioned as having Presidential aspirations, it would appear that Governor Pritzker is utilizing this moment to appeal to some of his party's faithful (some...not all), crack a joke or two, fuel his exposure, appear to be (dare I say) somewhat moderate and open to less government and (I think) attempt to get-ahead and/or address some of his potential policy-oriented liabilities that might exist in the mind of a hypothetical 2028 electorate. He is also building out his network in swing states like Wisconsin.
Listen...there's A LOT one could say about any politician and their budget - including Governor Pritzker. But, I want to focus on one thing that *really* jumps out to me. It is the spending.
T H E
S P E N D I N G.
Capitol Fax's Rich Miller highlighted this quote from Governor Pritzker and spending:
As always, I stand ready to work with members of the General Assembly to deliberate and negotiate the final budget. But let’s be clear, I will only sign a balanced budget. If you come to the table looking to spend more – I’m going to ask you where you want to cut. I have made difficult decisions – including to programs I have championed, which is hard for me, just as I know some of the difficult decisions you will have to make will be hard for you.
(emphasis, mine)
That's Governor Pritzker warning the legislators about increasing spending. But, when you read much of the coverage, the biggest takeaway (at least for me) is that spending for the State of Illinois *is* going up.
Pritzker's budget proposes to increase government spending by $2 Billion Dollars. With a B.
Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed growing spending by about $2 billion without new income or service taxes in the upcoming fiscal year – though his administration acknowledged policy changes by the Trump administration could drastically alter the fiscal landscape.$2B more being spent by the State of Illinois compared to the previous year. That is $166,666,666.67 more per month. Every month. One Hundred and Sixty-Six Million per month.
Spending and revenues would each grow by about 3% under the proposal laid out Wednesday during the governor’s annual budget address, with total general revenue fund spending growing to $55.2 billion.
It wouldn't take a policy expert to assume that the $55B *has* to be a record for spending for the State of Illinois. $55 billion dollars.
$39B in FY2019. And, a proposed $55B in FY2026.
Pritzker can run on a record of being "competent" and a professional executive. And, Governor Pritzker, certaintly to my eye is engaged and seems to like being Governor for Illinois. So, when you look past some of the idealogy-oriented actions, support, stunts and attacks, that part is true. People can say: "Hey...at least he's engaged and competent. And seems to enjoy the job."
But, NONE OF THAT obscures the fact that he's presided over a 40% increase in spending since he took office? Not 10%. Not even 20%. But...40% more.
I sure hope not. I'm here and we want to stay in Illinois.
I fear my kids won't see the same thing.
1. [It would be easy to dismiss IPI as simply a partisan organization based on what some say about them, but when it comes to dollars and cents, it might be worth reading what they are saying on the budget.]↩
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