South Central Reporter

The General Assembly's Veto Session concluded with minimal legislative activity, wrapping up on Thursday. The 103rd General Assembly is set to reconvene in early January for a "lame duck" session before the 104th General Assembly begins on January 8.

Illinois is currently facing a projected budget deficit exceeding $3 billion for the next fiscal year. Republican legislators attribute this deficit partly to increased state spending supported by temporary federal funds.

According to these legislators, spending growth has been driven by the Governor's initiatives, including programs like free healthcare for noncitizens, costing taxpayers over $1 billion annually. To fund these programs, the Governor recently implemented $1 billion in tax increases.

State Senator Plummer calls on the Governor to balance the upcoming budget without resorting to further tax hikes, stating that "struggling Illinoisans cannot afford to cover the cost of Governor Pritzker’s self-made budget crisis."