South Central Reporter

State Senator Steve McClure has expressed strong opposition to the recently passed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which was advanced by Governor J.B. Pritzker. According to McClure, the new budget includes significant tax increases and record spending that he believes will exacerbate the current trend of residents leaving Illinois.

McClure stated, "With no regard for the ongoing exodus of people moving from Illinois, Governor Pritzker just rammed through a budget with nearly a billion dollars in new taxes to cover another record spending plan." He argued that this approach would continue to drive families, jobs, and businesses out of the state.

The senator highlighted that under Governor Pritzker's administration, state spending has increased substantially. "With his newest budget topping more than $55 billion," McClure noted, "Governor Pritzker will have grown state spending by nearly 40% since taking office just six years ago."

One specific measure within the budget that McClure criticized is a new delivery tax. He remarked, "The cherry on top? Governor Pritzker’s special package: a new $1.50 tax on nearly every delivery to your house." In his view, this policy benefits only those facilitating relocation out of Illinois: "The only winners in this budget will be the moving companies getting paid to help people move out of the state."