SPRINGFIELD (CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS) – Majority Democrats pushed through a $53 billion spending plan Wednesday morning in Springfield, sending the proposal to Governor JB Pritzker after working through the night.

Capitol News Illinois reports the Fiscal Year 2025 budget increases K-12 education funding, creates a $50 million child tax credit for qualified families with children under 12, and hikes taxes on sports betting and on some businesses.

Republicans in both the Senate – which passed the plan Sunday – and House complain increased spending puts a larger burden on taxpayers.

Democrats admit it was a tough negotiation this year, but call the budget responsible and fair.

The budget spends about $400 million more than the proposal Governor Pritzker presented in February, but he says he will sign it.

The spending plan passed after midnight in the early hours of Wednesday morning – five days after lawmakers had scheduled themselves to adjourn.