PEORIA (25News Now) – The largest budget in history, awaiting the governor’s signature, came in at $53.1 billion.

State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) said he voted for this budget, claiming it helps achieve his goals of growing local business and attracting more industry to the state. Early childhood education is another top priority, according to Koehler.

The budget provides an extra $2 billion in evidence-based funding for K-12 schools, according to Koehler.

Koehler noted the budget expands the monetary assistance program for higher education.

He’s disappointed, however, in the lack of mental health resources,

State Rep. Travis Weaver (R-Edwards) voted against the budget. The elimination of the state grocery tax will hurt local governments, Weaver said.

“The grocery tax does not go toward Illinois revenue. The grocery tax goes toward local governments,” said Weaver.

“We have a governor, J.B. Pritzker, who does not have the appetite himself to cut spending necessary to cut taxes. So, what does he do? He cuts a tax that Illinois doesn’t collect. He cuts a tax that’s collected by our local governments,” said Weaver.

The grocery tax goes away in 2026. Weaver fears first responders like firefighters could be impacted as that revenue stream ends.

Weaver also doesn’t like an increase in the gambling tax.

“An extra one percent increase on gaming, money is coming out of pockets of downstate taxpayers to go to fund Chicago projects. I obviously have a major problem with that,” said Weaver.

Also critical of the budget is State Rep. Dennis Tipsword (R-Metamora) who said the spending plan is “shameful.”

Tipsword released the following statement last week:

“The majority party’s spending consistently outpaces revenues, and their solution is always the same…raise taxes on families and businesses! The Governor again kept his promise to raise taxes by $1 billion to fund the illegal immigrant crisis he created; and worked with Democrat legislative leaders behind closed doors on a plan that forces you to pay more for their spending priorities, all while families across Illinois continue to struggle every day with sky-high inflation.”

Across the aisle, State Rep, Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria), the lead budget negotiator for House Democrats believes the spending plan will help a lot of people.

She released this statement last week:

“This is a responsible, human-centered budget that delivers needed investment to our classrooms, enhances public safety and works to uplift families in every community. From helping our youngest learners access early childhood education opportunities, to enabling more older adults to receive the care they deserve, this is a comprehensive document that helps people now and moving forward.”

“Our balanced approach builds on the significant financial progress our state has made in recent years, making us more responsive to the real challenges facing families. This plan invests millions more in our schools, reinforces after-school and summer youth programs and creates a new child tax credit that will provide assistance to families with young kids. It also continues to comprehensively address public safety, reinvesting in communities while giving first responders the tools they need to do their job safely and effectively.”

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