METROPOLIS – State Representative Patrick Windhorst says an Auditor General’s Report released last week shows massive cost estimate irregularities in the controversial Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) programs. Windhorst says the Auditor General’s audit of the program showed Illinois taxpayers were on the hook for billions of dollars just for the health care programs for undocumented immigrants.
“The total cost for these programs since inception was just over $1.6 billion (for FY21-FY24). Fiscal Year 2025 has an estimated cost of $629 million, which was not included in the audit, bringing the total estimated cost of the programs to $2.2 billion,” Windhorst said. “While I am encouraged that Governor Pritzker has proposed ending the HBIA program for immigrant adults aged 42 to 64, it is clear that the state of Illinois cannot afford to provide these benefits. HBIA and HBIS should both be eliminated immediately.”
Windhorst is a co-sponsor of HB 1317, legislation that would end Illinois’ TRUST Act, which creates the Sanctuary State policies that prevent law enforcement officials from cooperating with Federal immigration officials. Windhorst is also a co-sponsor of HB 1456, which would end taxpayer-funded health benefits for illegal immigrants.
“We live in a state where Sanctuary State policies have been a magnet for undocumented immigrants to come here in large numbers, and by doubling down on those policies, Democrats have caused our taxpayers to suffer massive costs,” Windhorst said. “The time is now to end Sanctuary State policies, repeal the TRUST Act, and restore financial sanity in our state budget. Our citizens cannot afford to subsidize these failed and costly policies any longer.”