McHenry Times

Statehouse Democrats approved a record-high budget for Fiscal Year 2026, totaling $55.2 billion, just before the deadline of midnight on May 31. State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) expressed strong opposition to the budget, labeling it as "an incredibly irresponsible budget."

Senator Wilcox criticized the Democrats' approach, stating: “It’s like Groundhog Day here at the State Capitol, as legislative Democrats have once again ignored the fiscal realities of the state and the financial strains being felt by families and pushed through yet another irresponsible and unaffordable budget.”

He further commented on the rapid increase in state spending under Governor Pritzker's administration: “For some perspective, consider this: It took every Illinois governor in history 200 years to grow the state budget to around $30 billion, but in just six years, Governor Pritzker has exploded state spending to more than $55 billion— a nearly 40% increase. It’s the fastest, most dramatic spending expansion in our state’s history.”