Pritzker signs budget sending millions to NGOs

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a $55.9 billion state budget for fiscal year 2027, with tens of millions of dollars included for non-governmental organizations.

The governor placed his signature on the new spending plan in Chicago on Tuesday, calling it his eighth straight balanced budget.

“This budget lowers costs for everyday Illinoisans and protects our state’s fiscal health and continues the economic progress we have worked so hard to build over the last seven-and-a-half years,” Pritzker said.

The revenue plan imposes new taxes on digital advertising, digital assets, fantasy sports and prediction contests, places new limits on income tax carryover deductions, creates a social media platform fee and raises environmental filing fees and the retail tire tax.

When asked by The Center Square about the state funding non-governmental organizations over other spending priorities or tax relief, the governor said NGOs perform services on behalf of the government.

“It’s not like we’re just willy nilly providing money across the state. It’s really with a focus on making sure that we’re delivering on the priorities, the things that really matter to the working families of Illinois,” Pritzker said.

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, said regular working folks would be footing the bill.

“It’s not gonna be the lobbyists out on the rail. It’s not gonna be the insiders. It’s not gonna be the NGO’s that get special payment from all this stuff,” Wilhour said during a speech on the House floor before the budget passed during the early-morning hours on June 1.

State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville, said the budget contains political pork for Democrat-only districts.

“It leaves out the Democrats and Republicans in my district and all of the districts on this side of the aisle,” Davidsmeyer said.

Among many other NGO line items, the budget includes $4 million for Bright Star Community Outreach, $3.2 million for Ada S. McKinley Community Services, $2 million for Chicago Survivors and $1 million for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, all of which are located in Chicago.

The new budget takes effect July 1.