SPRINGFIELD, IL — Americans for Prosperity–Illinois (AFP-IL) today criticized the Illinois Democrats’ passage of the FY 2027 state budget — the largest in Illinois history — warning that continued overspending and tax hikes will further strain families and weaken the state’s economic outlook. The budget was one of the many bills the General Assembly attempted to pass in the 11th hour before the end of session.
The budget continues a troubling trend of higher spending paired with increased tax burdens under Gov. J.B. Pritzker. This marks Pritzker’s eighth budget — and the eighth straight budget that relies on tax increases. The bills passed in the middle of the night of the last day of the session is an admission that state leaders have failed to control spending or prioritize taxpayers.
AFP-IL State Director Jason Heffley issued the following statement:
“This record-breaking budget is yet another example of Springfield Democrats doubling down on the same failed formula: spend more, tax more, and expect different results. Illinois families are already struggling with high costs and nation-leading tax burdens, yet lawmakers have chosen to make their situation worse. And yet, Democrats decided to pass this and other reckless spending bills in the middle of the night without proper vetting.
“This budget provides no relief for Illinoisians. Instead of tightening their belts like working families across Illinois have had to do, politicians in Springfield continue to grow government at a rapid pace while sending the bill to taxpayers. The result is a less competitive economy, fewer opportunities for job creation and more families leaving the state.
“Illinois doesn’t have a revenue problem — it has a spending problem. Until Democrat lawmakers address the root cause by reining in spending and adopting structural reforms, taxpayers will continue to be asked to pay more while getting less in return.”
The continued pattern of budget growth and tax increases further undermines Illinois’ long-term fiscal stability while making it harder for residents to afford everyday expenses. The General Assembly and Gov. Pritzker should focus on structural reforms — including spending restraint, greater transparency, and pro-growth economic policies — to put the state on a more sustainable path.
BACKGROUND
According to NASBO State Expenditure Reports, Illinois had the largest percentage increase in total state expenditures of any state during the Pritzker administration, rising from $71.8B in FY2019 to an estimated $152.1B in FY2025, a 112% increase.
Using NASBO FY2019 actual to FY2025 estimated:
| State | FY2019 total | FY2025 total | Growth | Rank |
| Illinois | $71.842B | $152.066B | +111.7% | #1 |
| Arizona | $38.691B | $73.565B | +90.1% | #2 |
| Minnesota | $40.844B | $72.110B | +76.5% | #3 |
| Tennessee | $33.826B | $58.732B | +73.6% | #4 |
| Utah | $16.601B | $28.493B | +71.6% | #5 |
Total state expenditures for all states grew from roughly $2.06 trillion in FY2019 to $3.21 trillion in estimated FY2025, or about +56% nationally.
This increase in spending has been partially enabled by the 57 tax increases on the people of Illinois, bringing in $77 billion in new revenue.
