Local state lawmakers in the Democratic supermajority believe the 2024 Illinois legislative session was largely a success, while Republicans may say otherwise.
The session concluded early Wednesday morning after the House stayed up overnight to . The spending legislation passed 65-45, with seven Democrats joining their GOP counterparts in opposition.
鈥淭his budget aims to make state government more efficient, while responsibly focusing our resources on matters families care about 鈥� including local schools and public safety,鈥� said Rep. , D-Swansea, in a statement. 鈥淔rom early childhood through college, this is a smart plan that is going to help our kids unlock their potential.鈥�
The Senate had .
With approval from both chambers, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he will sign the budget, which will spend about $400 million more than he requested during his February budget address.
In this budget, the second-term governor got some key legislative priorities 鈥� like repealing Illinois鈥� 1% grocery tax in 2026. a health insurance bill designed to curb insurance tactics used to control the amount and cost of care patients receive.
The budget also included an increase to the tax rate paid by sportsbooks, where gamblers can wager on games. The current rate of 15% will rise to 20% to 40% based on the profits of the sportsbook.
Lawmakers also extended a cap on the amount of operational losses corporations can write off on their income taxes. In total, the two tax changes total $1.1 billion in state revenue.
Republicans argue that raising taxes in current economic conditions is not the right move.
鈥淭he people of Illinois deserve better,鈥� said Sen. , R-Edwardsville, in a statement. 鈥淯nfortunately, they won鈥檛 get it this year, thanks to the governor and his allies who just can鈥檛 stop treating the people of Illinois like their personal piggy bank.鈥�
The GOP in Springfield has regularly lambasted Democrats for spending state funds on noncitizens over the past couple of years.
Illinois will spend $182 million in this year鈥檚 budget to provide shelter, health care and other services for migrants who have been bused from Texas to Chicago. Another $440 million provides funding for Medicaid-like benefits to noncitizens.
鈥淢ost of my constituents feel that that's taking away from programs that are helping them and their families,鈥� said Rep. , R-Godfrey.
Both chambers did not stop its members' salaries increasing with inflation annually, which is written into state law. In the next fiscal year, their salaries will grow by 5% to more than $93,000.
Many Republicans criticized the Democratic-controlled chambers for allowing the raises.
Rep. , R-Millstadt, urged lawmakers to donate the extra cash to a charity in their district.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 need pay raises,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he people back home need that money.鈥�
Since 2019, Pritzker and the Democrats in both chambers have not passed a budget with a Republican vote 鈥� thanks to their supermajorities.
鈥淚 am still hopeful that one year I'll be able to vote yes on a budget,鈥� Elik said. 鈥淚 am an optimist. I want to be part of the process.鈥�
This session and the budget was not all a loss, though, Elik said. Seven pieces of legislation she sponsored await the governor鈥檚 signature.
For example, will allow retired teachers to go back to work in a school district that鈥檚 short on a certain subject. If retired teachers return, it wouldn鈥檛 change their state pension.
鈥淭his is something to help with a teacher shortage,鈥� Elik said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really proud that got through.鈥�
Hoffman, also the assistant majority leader, said a bill aimed at and another that lays out a regulatory serve as good examples of effective legislation passed this session.
鈥淲hen we鈥檙e good stewards with the budget, we can more effectively address the challenges facing communities in the Metro East,鈥� Hoffman said.
Now with state lawmakers out on summer break, Pritzker will sign or veto remaining legislation. Legislators will return at some point this fall for a veto session.
Capitol News Illinois' Jerry Nowicki contributed to this report.
Nowicki also joined 鈥淪t. Louis on the Air鈥� to discuss the 2024 Illinois legislative session. Listen to the episode on , , or by clicking the play button below.
