Senators Fight for Taxpayer Transparency on Non-Citizen Spending

SPRINGFIELD – With Illinois facing a $3.2 billion budget deficit, Senate Republicans are demanding greater transparency regarding taxpayer dollars spent on programs for non-citizens.

On Feb. 5, State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley), State Sen. Li Arellano, Jr. (R-Dixon), and State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) announced the reintroduction of legislation requiring detailed annual reports on non-citizen spending to ensure accountability and protect taxpayers.

Since taking office, Gov. JB Pritzker has increased spending on programs for non-citizens—from a few million to over $1 billion annually—offering free healthcare, legal services, and housing to fulfill his goal of making Illinois “the most welcoming state in the nation.”

Over the past 2 ½ years, the Governor has issued 30 monthly emergency declarations, using executive authority to redirect taxpayer dollars without legislative oversight. This unchecked spending comes as families struggle with high taxes and rising living costs, while the administration continues to withhold basic cost details despite Senate Republican inquiries.

Senate Bill 1699 would require the Illinois Department of Human Services, in coordination with other relevant state agencies, to submit an annual report to the General Assembly on state spending for non-citizens.

The report would include details on the total amount spent, specific appropriations, the number of families impacted, funding sources, and contracts awarded for services such as healthcare, housing, and legal support. The report would also be publicly available online for taxpayer transparency.

The bill also requires the Governor to include a detailed accounting of all proposed spending on non-citizen populations in future state budgets.

With the state budget process set to kick off following Gov. Pritzker’s annual address on Feb. 18, Sen. Syverson is advocating for a clear understanding of spending for non-citizen programs and its impact on essential services for taxpaying Illinois residents.

New Lawsuit Seeks to End Governor Pritzker’s Harmful Sanctuary Policies

With the U.S. Department of Justice’s filing a lawsuit against the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and Cook County over sanctuary laws, Sen. Syverson and other Republican state legislators are demanding that Gov. Pritzker support the repeal of the Trust Act, which restricts cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The DOJ’s lawsuit, filed Feb. 6, accuses these jurisdictions of hindering federal immigration enforcement by limiting local law enforcement’s ability to work with ICE. Chicago has become a major focus of ICE operations.

Gov. Pritzker’s policies are putting Illinois families at risk by prioritizing political agendas over public safety.

Under the Trust Act, Illinois law enforcement is prohibited from:

• Transferring violent criminals to ICE except under very limited conditions.
• Sharing critical information about violent criminals with ICE.
• Participating in federal immigration enforcement, even when dealing with dangerous individuals.

Gov. Pritzker’s defiance of federal law has created legal obstacles that shield violent offenders from deportation, leaving Illinois communities vulnerable. This lawsuit seeks to hold the Governor accountable for these dangerous decisions and restore law enforcement’s ability to remove violent criminals from our streets.

Sen. Syverson says Gov. Pritzker must immediately support the repeal of the Trust Act and back legislation that empowers local law enforcement to cooperate with federal authorities.

Illinois Taxpayers: Don’t Miss Out on Key Tax Credits for 2024!

The Illinois Department of Revenue is reminding eligible taxpayers to claim available tax credits when filing their 2024 income tax returns to reduce their tax liability or increase refunds.

Sen. Syverson encourages all Illinoisans to take advantage of the available tax credits when filing their 2024 returns. With many families facing financial challenges, these credits provide important relief by reducing tax burdens or increasing refunds. He emphasizes the importance of reviewing eligibility for these credits, as they can significantly benefit individuals and families across the state.

• Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Available for low-to-moderate-income working individuals. To qualify, taxpayers must file a return and meet income and age requirements.
• Illinois Child Tax Credit (CTC): A new credit for 2024, worth 20% of the Illinois EITC, for taxpayers who qualify for EITC and have a child under 12. The credit will increase to 40% in 2025.
• Volunteer Emergency Worker Credit (VEW): Available for qualified volunteer emergency workers with a certificate from MyTax Illinois.
• Education Expense Credit: Offers a 25% credit on qualifying educational expenses over $250 for parents or guardians of full-time K-12 students.
• Illinois Property Tax Credit: A 5% credit for property taxes paid on a principal residence.

For more details, click HERE or call 1-800-732-8866.