Gov. Pritzker Reveals $52.7B Budget Focused on Migrant Crisis, Education

The migrant crisis, education and quantum computing.& Those are the priorities of the nearly $53 billion Illinois budget proposed by Gov. JB Pritzker. Moreover, the plan includes tax increases primarily aimed at businesses, including a significant tax hike on sports betting.& Pritzker, a second-term Democrat, described the $52.7 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year as “focused and disciplined,” stating that it represents a modest 2% spending increase. Despite tight finances, he assured lawmakers in Springfield that Illinois maintains fiscal stability and can uphold its commitments to its residents. “I wish we had big surpluses to work with this year to take on every one of the very real challenges we face,” Pritzker said to lawmakers during his annual State of the State address. “It’s important to note, that while this budget is tight this year, our fiscal house is in order, and we are able to keep our commitments to the people of Illinois.” Pritzker’s proposal will go before a Democrat-majority House and Senate, where budget negotiations will ensue. The funds allocated for new arrivals will likely get the most scrutiny, particularly by Republicans.& The budget proposal allocates an additional $182 million for migrants, in collaboration with Cook County,...