Rockford Sun

State Rep. Joe Sosnowski shared a link on Facebook to a Wirepoints article in which authors John Klingner and Ted Dabrowski say the real marker of J.B. Pritzker’s governorship should be how Illinoisans are faring. 

“We are told that the budget that the governor is set to sign is ‘balanced’ and "fiscally responsible,’” Sosnowski (R-Rockford) said in his post. “What does that mean for the residents under his leadership?” 

He goes on to quote the Wirepoints article’s list of challenges: "Fewer people are employed today than when Pritzker took office. Illinois’ economic growth is stagnant, at best. Tax burdens are higher than ever. And residents are fleeing in record numbers.” 

Regarding employment, the Wirepoints article says 70,000 fewer people are working in the state today than when Pritzker took office in January 2019. 

Not only do the jobs figures tell a story different than what Pritzker's budget document does, but the Wirepoints founders say people should also consider GDP growth, which was 3.2% from "the first quarter of 2019 through the fourth quarter of 2022."

The proposed budget and the budget-in-brief document, which were released on Feb. 15, touted improvements in the state’s financial situation, a $1.9 billion Rainy Day Fund balance, and pension liability reductions, including a savings of $4 billion. The proposed budget was $49.6 billion. The budget is available here. 

The Illinois Senate passed the budget late Thursday, May 25. The House passed it early Saturday morning May 27. The bill awaits Pritzker's signature.

While Democrats hold the majority in the Senate, Republican input was part of the budget negotiation process, which Republican legislators appreciated, WAND reported. 

"This budget makes transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois while building on our record of fiscal responsibility," Pritzker said in a statement, ABC7 reported May 26. "I look forward to the House taking up this budget that will make child care and education more accessible, healthcare more affordable, and our state's business and economic position even stronger.” 

Sosnowksi’s statement about the budget paints a different picture.

“The biggest takeaway from this budget is that the Democrat majority is voting themselves a second pay raise in the last six months while allowing the one-year sales tax holiday on groceries and school supplies to expire, which will hurt Illinois families during this time of record-high inflation,” he said. “The elimination of the scholarship program that helps low-income families find better opportunities for their kids’ education is one of this budget’s worst and most willful oversights. In short, this budget raises the cost of living on local families who are once again being shortchanged by the Governor and his allies.”