SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus passed the state’s eighth balanced budget in a row Monday – prioritizing affordability and food security, and continuing the commitment of making Illinois the best state to live, work and raise a family.
“This balanced budget reflects the kind of disciplined choices the people we represent expect: preparing for uncertainty, restoring property tax relief and continuing to fund the programs people rely on,” said Senate Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “Despite the unprecedented chaos of historic federal cuts nationwide, Illinois has pushed forward — crafting a budget that cements us as the best state in the nation to work with dignity, live with freedom and raise a family.”
The Fiscal Year 2027 budget represents a number of shared priorities of the caucus, including investing in educating children, protecting the state’s most vulnerable, keeping communities safe and enhancing health care.
The Fiscal Year 2027 budget is the eighth consecutive balanced budget, building on years of historic fiscal progress that included 10 credit rating upgrades, a Rainy Day Fund exceeding $2 billion and more.
This budget prioritizes affordability and food security. It includes funding for housing, education, public safety and violence prevention, nutrition assistance, economic development, human services and more – continuing to make life in Illinois safe, affordable and meaningful despite the efforts of the federal administration.
Additionally, it continues the commitment of $305 million for equitable K-12 education, restores $45 million in property tax relief grants and further builds on the progress of the Medical Debt Relief Program – which has already secured over $1 billion in debt relief for Illinoisans.
This balanced, compassionate budget reflects the needs of working people while doubling down on efforts to build a stronger safety net amid continued threats to cut funding and uncertainty from the federal administration.
“In the face of economic uncertainty and devastating federal cuts, Illinois chose stability, responsibility and compassion. This budget strengthens support for working families, protects access to hospitals and health care, invests more than 300 million new dollars in public education and provides relief for parents through a sales tax-free shopping holiday, and it does it all without raising the state income tax or sales tax,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “I’m grateful to Governor Pritzker, Speaker Welch and the members of the General Assembly for working together to once again achieve our shared goal of a responsible budget focused on protecting the people of the great state of Illinois.”
The Fiscal Year 2027 budget takes effect July 1.
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