SPRINGFIELD, IL – House Republican Floor Leader State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) says his NO vote on the FY 26 Illinois State Budget comes as a result of a complete and total lack of fiscal responsibility shown by supermajority Democrats. Windhorst says the spending plan tops out at $55.2 billion and is balanced by a massive $1 billion in new tax hikes, fees, and borrowing.
“When Governor Pritzker delivered his Budget Address in February, he said very plainly that if Democrats wanted to spend more money, they would need to identify and implement meaningful cuts to state programs,” Windhorst said. “Sadly, that admonishment was ignored by House and Senate Democrats, as a near-record spending budget with hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax hikes is headed to the Governor’s desk. To say I’m disappointed would be true, to say I’m surprised would not.”
Windhorst says the Democrats’ affirmative vote on SB 2510, the state budget, and HB 1075 the budget implementation bill, enshrines into law hundreds of millions of dollars in Democrat district pork barrel projects and pay raises for politicians at a time when working families are still struggling under the weight of high cost of living and surging energy prices fueled by the Democrats’ failed policies.
“Working people are tapped out, my constituents are struggling with an increased cost of living, and the message we received from supermajority Democrats tonight was clear: The priorities of Illinois Democrats are to endlessly raise taxes and spend beyond the financial means of the state,” Windhorst said. “I voted NO. I have argued this entire session for fiscal restraint, for relief for taxpayers, for a long-term plan to deal with our debt and obligations. This spending plan is propped up by inter-fund transfers, administrative chargebacks, and giving Governor Pritzker unprecedented Executive authority to make spending decisions.”