SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) says government spending has increased by 32 percent since Governor JB Pritzker took office, forcing a state budget that includes nearly $1 billion in higher taxes.

The Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget May 26 by a 38-21 vote, with no Republicans supporting the budget because of its misplaced priorities. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Gov. Pritzker has once again chosen big government instead of helping overtaxed, struggling working families. He has forced through a record-breaking $53 billion budget that provides billions in benefits for noncitizens,” Sen. Syverson said. “We have said time and again that Pritzker’s open door sanctuary policy would lead to unchecked spending that would result in tax increases. And here we are. In addition to providing free top-level healthcare to undocumented immigrants, Illinois is covering the cost of children’s healthcare, housing, cash assistance, daycare, education, and other social service programs. That does not include the hundreds of millions it is costing local property taxpayers.”

Sen. Syverson says years of such record spending poses a serious risk to Illinois’ fiscal stability.

“No state or country has ever taxed its way into prosperity. When talking about the new tax increases, all we hear from the left is that they just want people to pay their fair share,” Sen. Syverson said, “Why are working families considered greedy for not wanting to give up more, yet Government is not greedy for wanting to take more? Government needs to live within its means like working families do.”

Sen. Syverson said attempts to work with Democrat leaders to pass a responsible budget this spring were not successful, but he and his Senate Republican colleagues will continue to support the kind of business and government reforms needed to boost Illinois’ economy and jobs.

Fiscal Year 2025 runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.