Rockford Sun

Joe Sosnowski, representing Illinois' 69th House District, expressed concerns regarding Governor J.B. Pritzker's budget address. He said that the address should have concentrated on "policies to grow Illinois, lower property taxes, and ending the wasteful taxpayer-funded health benefits for all non-citizens." Sosnowski shared this statement in a Facebook post dated February 19.

"The Governor spends a great deal of time posting on social media criticizing President Trump, pontificating about national issues, fueling ridiculous Nazi accusations, and laying the groundwork for his own presidential ambitions in 2028 instead of keeping his focus where it needs to be; on Illinois and the challenges we face as a state," said Sosnowski, State Representative, according to Facebook. "Specifically, we should have heard from the Governor today on policies to grow Illinois, lower property taxes, and ending the wasteful taxpayer-funded health benefits for all non-citizens. Instead, the Governor proposed $590 million in new taxes, transfers and other budget gimmicks in an attempt to sustain the uncontrollable spending we have seen over the past six years under his failed leadership."

According to ABC7, Governor J.B. Pritzker's budget proposal includes a $2 billion increase in spending without introducing new taxes on income or services. The report indicates that policy changes and uncertainties surrounding federal funding could impact the state's fiscal outlook. Pritzker acknowledged during his address that difficult sacrifices and moderated spending were anticipated.

Screenshot of State Representative Joe Sosnowski's Feb. 19 Facebook post | State Representative Joe Sosnowski's Facebook page

Pritzker’s proposed budget outlines continued investments in areas such as early childhood education, childcare, higher education, economic development, and poverty reduction. The document highlights improvements since 2019, including reducing outstanding bills from $8 billion to current accounts payable and increasing the rainy-day fund from $4 million to $2.25 billion. It also notes that while the 2018 budget forecasted annual deficits through 2024, these were addressed through fiscal management policies focused on debt reduction and balancing revenues with targeted spending increases.

The estimated revenue for the 2026 fiscal year is projected at $55.453 billion, reflecting a 2.9% increase over the previous year. Proposed general fund expenditures are expected to total $55.234 billion, marking a 2.5% increase from the prior fiscal year. Seventy-five percent of this increase will be allocated toward base pension, medical expenditures, and the Illinois State Board of Education's Evidence-Based Funding (ISBE EBF). The proposed budget projects a $218 million surplus for FY 2026, with $154 million allocated to the budget stabilization fund according to Pritzker’s office.

Sosnowski has represented Illinois since being elected to the General Assembly in 2010 and currently serves the 69th District. His political career began with a term on the DeKalb City Council followed by serving as First Ward Alderman in Rockford from 2005 to 2010. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University according to his official biography.