Davidsmeyer: Illinois Families Cannot Afford Gov. Pritzker's 'Tax, Spend, Repeat' Budget

Republican leader criticizes Pritzker's proposed $56 billion budget as unaffordable and unsustainable

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Illinois State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer, the Assistant Republican Leader, has criticized Governor JB Pritzker's proposed $56 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget as being unaffordable and unsustainable for Illinois families. Davidsmeyer argues that the budget relies on $728 million in new revenue from taxes on social media platforms and higher gaming taxes, on top of the nearly $1 billion in new taxes and fees implemented last year.

Why it matters

The debate over the state budget reflects the ongoing political tensions in Illinois between the Democratic governor and the Republican minority in the legislature. Pritzker's spending plan aims to increase funding for education, healthcare, and other priorities, but Davidsmeyer and other Republicans argue that the tax increases will further burden Illinois families already struggling with the high cost of living.

The details

Governor Pritzker's proposed $56 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027 is a record high, nearly $1 billion more than last year's enacted budget. The spending plan relies on $728 million in new revenue, including new taxes on social media platforms and higher gaming taxes. Davidsmeyer, the Assistant Republican Leader, criticized the budget as being unaffordable and unsustainable, noting that state spending has increased by $16 billion, or 40%, under Pritzker's watch. Davidsmeyer argued that the budget includes 'hundreds of millions of our tax dollars going to welfare benefits for illegal immigrants' and provides no relief from the high cost of living or property taxes for working families.

  • Governor Pritzker delivered his annual Budget/State of the State Address on Wednesday to the Illinois General Assembly.
  • Last year, the Democratic majority in the legislature increased taxes and fees by nearly $1 billion to balance their budget, and those increases are included in the proposed FY27 budget.

The players

Governor JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois who delivered the annual budget address and proposed a $56 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2027.

C.D. Davidsmeyer

The Assistant Republican Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives who criticized Pritzker's budget proposal as unaffordable and unsustainable for Illinois families.

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What they’re saying

“On Governor Pritzker's watch, state spending has increased by $16 billion, a 40% spending hike. He's raised taxes and fees year after year and wants to take even more money out of the pockets of hardworking families this year. Despite spouting off talking points about affordability, the reality is Illinois families cannot afford Pritzker's 'Tax, Spend, Repeat' Budget.”

— C.D. Davidsmeyer, Assistant Republican Leader (riverbender.com)

“This budget is a disaster for hardworking Illinoisans. More taxes and fees, another billion dollars in wasteful spending, including hundreds of millions of our tax dollars going to welfare benefits for illegal immigrants. There's no relief from the high cost of living. There's no property tax relief or tax cuts for working families anywhere to be found in this budget. We've got to make Illinois a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.”

— C.D. Davidsmeyer, Assistant Republican Leader (riverbender.com)

What’s next

The Illinois General Assembly will now review and debate Governor Pritzker's proposed budget, with the Republican minority likely to continue pushing back on the tax increases and spending priorities.

The takeaway

The debate over Illinois' state budget reflects the ongoing political divide between the Democratic governor and the Republican minority in the legislature. While Pritzker's budget aims to increase funding for key priorities, the GOP argues that the tax hikes will further burden Illinois families already struggling with the high cost of living in the state.