SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker presented his State of the State/Budget Address Wednesday in Springfield.

The budget proposed by Pritzker Wednesday largely maintains the status quo, and forgoes significant broad-based tax increases, at least for the time being.

The proposed budget totals $56 billion in spending in fiscal year 2027 beginning on July 1, which is up $878 million, or 1.6% from the current year. But most of that new spending is in required categories like education and pensions. Outside those areas, new spending will grow by just 0.5%.

State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) in reacted to the governor’s speech by warning Illinois residents that the annual speech quite often does not reflect the reality of budgeting in Illinois.

State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) said it’s just more of the same.

State Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) said the governor’s speech was just more of the same.

State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) said overall it was another disappointing budget.