Illinois FY2026 Enacted State Budget Overview
The
Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget for Illinois (covering
July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) was signed into law by
Governor JB Pritzker on June 16, 2025. It is the
seventh consecutive balanced General Funds budget, totaling
$55.1 billion with a projected
$217 million surplus (after contributions to reserves).
The budget relies on ~$700 million in new/expanded taxes
(e.g., corporate reforms, sports betting, tobacco, telecom)
and >$500 million in one-time maneuvers
(fund sweeps, delayed transfers).
Per Grok.
IL Government Grows under all Conditions
The cost of Illinois government is consistent. It always exceeds revenues, demands more tax dollars to meet the goals of growing government supported by both poltical parties. The current budget is facing deficits and requires more tax dollars to achieve a balanced budget over the next nine months.
Budget Details are not Transparent
What are the budget planners not telling us? IL spends a Billion plus dollars on health care for the estimated 500k+ illegals residing in the state. Where is the funding reported?
Is this the Best IL can do?
How are other states doing in effectively managing the tax dollars provided by the citizens and businesses of the state?
Taking Care of one's own Constituents is a top Priority
IL Democrats gain influence with the 2026 budget pork allocations.
Taxpayers pay top dollar for legislator time
IL state lawmakers are well paid for their time and work. An average of $98,000 for seventy days of work per year. Add per diem, bonuses and other expenses, the average pay is $128,000. Three states, CA, NY and PA pay more for full time Legislators.
Is IL ready for a slowdown of the state's economy?
The "rainy day" funds of US states are typically measured by the number of days they can cover general fund expenditures during economic downturns. According to Pew's analysis for the end of fiscal year 2025, the median across all states is 46.9 days (down from 53.2 days in 2024). A partial list of states is reported, sorted from high to low. IL has 15.7 days of reserve funds to deal with an economic downturn.
