SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is promising his proposed budget will save millions of dollars.
“The upcoming fiscal years budget will spend $175 million less, and we will save $650 million over four years,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker said that unlike past Illinois Governors, he has been very optimistic.
“I believe that the cynics had their years in power, and that the people of Illinois suffered because of them,” he said.
The budget includes more money for education, taxpayer savings, and the confidence that the state of Illinois is getting stronger.
“The proposal I share today takes a disciplined approach to managing our limited resources, while also investing in the very efforts that will make our state stronger,” Pritzker said. “Better schools, better public safety, more job creating businesses, improved care for our most vulnerable children and seniors.”
During is proposal, Pritzker said he approached the budget wanting to use tax payer dollars as efficient as possible.
“I’m pleased to say that this proposed budget saves tax payers more than $225 million annually, and more than $750 million over three years, through operational efficiencies, possible agency consolidations, and the elimination of excess boards and commissions,” Pritzker said.
It has been over a decade since any amount of money was added to the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
“And, it was almost wiped out entirely in 2017 under my predecessor. The budget I am introducing today beings to restore it, dedicating $100 million to the Rainy Day Fund over the next 16 months,” Pritzker said.
The legalization of adult use cannabis was a general source of funds and a way to create more jobs in the state. Pritzker said that he pardoned over 11 thousand people with low level cannabis convictions, and that was just the beginning.
“With a successful first month of sales under our belt, I can conservatively project that adult use cannabis sales will generate at least $46 million in revenue for our general fund,” he said.
Around $10 million of that revenue will go to pay the Illinois bill backlog.
Another source of revenue that was passed last year was expanded gaming, including sports betting.
“Which appears to be on track, and will be up and running in time for March Madness,” he said.
Revenue from gaming goes directly to the Bipartisan Historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan.
Pritzker said that his office is working hard to make an adjustment to the legislation to make the Chicago casino successful to help fund projects around the state.
Last year, the General Assembly passed income tax rates that ensure working class and middle class families do not pay more taxes than upper class.
“I believe this is far more fair than the flat tax rate that we have today. These rates would go into effect only if Illinois removes the constitutional prohibition on a graduated tax,” Pritzker said. “A decision that will be made by voters in November.”
Pritzker said that for the first time in many years, due to funding to MAP grants and school funding, there is an increase in applications at public universities.
The state will invest the University of Illinois’ innovation hub, Discovery Partners Institute, that will support over 50,000 economy jobs.
“Interval to DPI’s success is the Illinois Innovation Network, which will radiate across the state to 15 other university campus hubs from Chicago, to Rockford, to Peoria, to Edwardsville,” Pritzker said.
The proposed budget would include 20,000 scholarship students on top of 10,000 more MAP grant and Aim High scholars.
“And we will continue rebuilding our university and community colleges with a five percent funding increase which among other things allows the University of Illinois to provide a free tuition for students who’s families make less than $67,000 per year,” Pritzker said.
During his proposal, Pritzker said the budget makes a historic investment in K-12 schools in the state, with $350 million in funding.
Pritzker wants to change the stigma and silence around mental health with a tip line.
“Students, parents, teachers, friends will be able to call in with real concerns about a child’s well-being, possibly even about their survival, and a professional can check in on them,” he said. “Here in Illinois our tip line will be called Safe to Help Illinois. A confidential reporting program intended to be available via text, phone call, app, and social media platforms.”
Pritzker said he is proud the budget supports funding to Department of Public Health to maintain service levels for family planning and related health services.
“Without caving to the Trump Administrations outrageous gag rule on women’s reproductive rights,” he said.
With the proposed budget, 20% funding would be given to DCFS.
“We will increase personnel numbers by nearly 150 new staff, that’s on top of the 300 workers we added over the last year,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker said the budget challenges are difficult.
“Our state has grown and changed so much over the years, and the complexities of running our government have evolved with it,” he said. “Our future will not be built on the shaky rhetorical foundation of those who keep rooting for us to fail.”
