Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed $56 billion maintenance budget for 2027 does little to address the emergency of disparities that exist in Black and brown communities.

As Pritzker and elected officials know, the problems in these neighborhoods predate President Donald Trump. There is no doubt the administration’s policies have exacerbated long-standing issues.

However, Pritzker, who is running for a third term with an eye on the presidency, should channel state resources into closing the widening disparities in Black and brown neighborhoods.

Budgets are viewed as moral documents that reflect the government’s values and priorities. Pritzker’s budget should address systemic barriers to equity. These communities do not have the luxury of waiting for the new Congress or the next presidential administration.

Black and brown residents do not need play-it-safe budgets. They need budgets that transform communities and lead to entrepreneurship and investment in education, trade programs, jobs, health care and homeownership. Budgets that guarantee safe neighborhoods free of gun violence, smash-and-grab robberies and assaults.

The Black youth unemployment crisis in Illinois has become normalized. Eighty-one percent of Black 16- to 19-year-olds in Chicago were jobless in 2024, according to a recent report from the University of Illinois Great Cities Institute. The jobless rate among Black adults 20 to 24 years old was 46.5%, more than double the 18.9% rate for their white peers. The highest rate of joblessness is pervasive on the South and West sides of Chicago.

The Black homeownership rate today is virtually the same as it was when mortgage discrimination was legal. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited discrimination concerning the sale and financing of housing based on race, religion or national origin. In 58 years, the homeownership rate for African Americans has remained stagnant.

In 2025, the Black homeownership rate in Chicago was 43%, well below the 70% rate of white people. Latino homeownership has seen record growth in 2025. In Illinois, Latinos were responsible for 56% of homeownership growth over the last 10 years, and the current rate sits at 58.8%.

Homeownership is important for building long-term generational wealth and stable communities. A 2024 “Color of Wealth in Chicago” report noted the median net worth for Black households in Chicago is $0. The same report showed a net worth of $40,500 for U.S.-born Mexican families in Chicago, $24,000 for Puerto Rican families and $210,000 for white people.

During a recent visit to the Cook County Department of Corrections, I found out that the population of detainees had increased to more than 6,000. The Chicago Crusader reported that between January 2020 and November 2025, 54% of the 61 people who died while in custody in Cook County were Black.

With veterans sleeping under viaducts and the unhoused population using CTA trains, buses and libraries as their shelter, how can Pritzker’s budget cut funds for people who are unhoused? Black people account for 53% of the unhoused population, despite making up less than one-third of the city’s total population. Latinos account for 35% of the homeless population.

According to the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, Pritzker’s proposed cuts to the HOME Illinois program, as well as decreases to supportive housing and emergency and transitional housing line items, will likely halt progress made toward ending homelessness. High prices for rents, groceries, health insurance and other costs could drive more citizens into homelessness.

Pritzker’s budget also does not address the achievement gap. In Illinois, there are still wide gaps in proficiency rates between white, Black and Latino students in both English language arts and math.

A failure to address the education achievement gap could exacerbate the school-to-prison pipeline.

The following are suggestions to bring equity to Black and brown citizens:

• Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon should determine why Black homeownership is stuck at less than 50% and pass solutions to improve it.

• Welch, Harmon and Pritzker should fix the unfair property tax system that harms Black and brown communities.

• Pritzker and the Illinois legislature should opt into the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship program.

• Pritzker and the legislature should invest in job training and bring employment opportunities to vulnerable neighborhoods on the South and West sides of Chicago.

• Welch, Harmon and legislative leaders should close the 20-year life expectancy gap in West Garfield Park through significant state investment.

• Pritzker, Welch and Harmon should use Illinois state procurement contracts to stabilize Black and brown communities.

Illinois legislators can amend the governor’s maintenance budget and provide real investment in Black and Brown communities. The question is: Will they do the work or go along to get along?

I will convene clergy leaders to meet with Pritzker, legislative leaders and legislators to ensure the needs of low-income families and the working class are addressed in this budget.

I write this commentary to make those comfortable with withholding investments in Black and brown communities uncomfortable.

Willie Wilson is a business owner, philanthropist and former mayoral candidate. 

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