During the second week of Veto Session in Springfield, State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) stood with members of the Legislative Freedom Caucus and demanded that Governor JB Pritzker abide by policies- including those related to immigration- that President-Elect Donald Trump has said he will implement when he takes office in January. The Caucus also asked that the Governor address the fiscal crisis in Illinois without placing new taxes on the backs of Illinoisans.
“While the State of Illinois is facing a $3 billion deficit for the next fiscal year, Governor Pritzker continues to crisscross the country laying the groundwork for his 2028 Presidential bid,” said Chesney. “He needs to park the jet, focus on the Illinois citizens he represents today, and work collaboratively with us to close that budget hole without heaping another huge tax increase on Illinois families and businesses.”
The budget deficit data released by the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) earlier this month estimated a $3.16 billion shortfall for the next fiscal year. The projected deficit comes just months after Governor Pritzker raised taxes by $1 billion to help fund a record-high budget that spends more than $1 billion on healthcare and other benefits for migrants and illegal immigrants.
Since taking office, Governor Pritzker has expanded state spending by more than 30% and Freedom Caucus members said it is well past time for the Governor to realign his priorities and put Illinois citizens first.
“Regarding illegal immigration, our President-Elect has pledged to fix the border crisis created by the Biden-Harris administration and deport those people who are in this country illegally,” Chesney said. “What did Governor Pritzker do? He immediately doubled and tripled down on his divisive rhetoric and support of progressive policies, which will only worsen the immigration problems we are experiencing in this state.”
Chesney continued, “As ICE follows the directives of our new President, it is quite likely that illegal immigrants will flee to Illinois, where Governor Pritzker has rolled out the red carpet for them. I would expect we will see an entirely new wave of immigrants flocking to Illinois as they try to hide from immigration authorities.”
Chesney concluded his remarks by calling on the legislature to repeal the TRUST Act so that federal immigration authorities can work with law enforcement offers across the state and roll back other progressive policies that have resulted in bloated budgets, a huge spike in crime, and a continuation of the exodus of Illinois citizens and businesses that believe their future would be brighter in other states.
