Pritzker, Democrats at General Assembly Reach Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Deal – NBC Chicago

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and General Assembly leaders announced an agreement on a balanced budget for fiscal year 2024.

Lawmakers announced the deal ahead of a press conference in Springfield on Wednesday, with Pritzker praising General Assembly members for a budget he says is balanced for a fifth straight year.

“From the start, I have sworn to work with the General Assembly to bring sanity back to Illinois while restoring a compassionate state government that invests in the things that build a stronger economy and future,” he said in a statement. “From violence prevention, higher education and K-12 funding, to filling teacher vacancies, to workforce development and improving behavioral health services, this budget makes historic investments that will benefit our state for years to come.”

Republicans in Illinois criticized the budget as a one-sided deal that was too tax-focused.

“Governor Pritzker and the Democrats of Illinois may twist words with the best of them, but the truth is this budget is a partisan wish list, not a negotiation,” said GOP Chairman Don Tracy. “With full control of government, Illinois Democrats continue to tax and spend, with Illinois topping every measure of the tax burden weighing on residents and driving out families year after year.”