Rep. Keicher Responds to Passage of FY27 State Budget

SPRINGFIELD – Following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget, State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), the Illinois House Republican Conference Chairman, released the following statement:

“I’m disappointed that at a time when our state needs to be driving affordability by providing tax relief, bringing down the cost of living that is crippling family budgets, and spurring our economy, the Democrats have again passed a state budget that does the exact opposite. It’s another record budget at $55.9 billion that will chase more job creators away by raising spending by another $800 million in the form of additional taxation on the residents of Illinois, who can least afford it. This makes it eight years in a row that Governor Pritzker and the Democrats have raised taxes. They seem to want to tax regular folks in every aspect of their lives.

“On top of those spending and tax increases, this budget puts more pressure on local communities by once again failing to fully fund the Local Government Distributive Fund. That means local communities face more property tax pressure to meet the needs of their communities. I was glad to see they offered a $0.60 an hour increase to those who help adults with disabilities, but this still falls short of the $2 an hour increase the Guide House report said was needed. Our most vulnerable need to be first in line, not an afterthought.

“Families and small businesses across our state are struggling, and our most vulnerable continue to be left behind, yet Democrats made sure to include $220 million for pork projects for themselves, and a pay raise.

“Just like every family at home, it’s long past time for the state of Illinois to live within its means. Illinois families need lower taxes, lower costs, and responsible spending. This budget does the opposite.”

For more information about Rep. Keicher, visit RepKeicher.com.