Pritzker knocks state progressives’ ability to pass new tax measures
[May 21, 2026]
By Sean Reed | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ruled out the passage
of many new tax proposals from progressive lawmakers before the end of
the legislative session next week in Springfield.
Democrat lawmakers behind the proposals claimed their initiatives would
have raised more than $4 billion annually earlier this month.
Pritzker told members of the press Wednesday he’s not sure what new tax
measures the legislature will pass, and he sees the current priority as
delegating how to best spend the revenue the state will have.
“It's just a matter of can the legislature get something on the ballot
or move something forward and that's apparently something they couldn't
do this last session or this session that we're in,” Pritzker said.
“[Progressives] have been working very hard on getting something done.
It doesn't appear that they're able to get something done through the
house or the Senate right now.”
Revenue forecasts from multiple state agencies were revised down last
week, meaning the state now expects to bring in less funds from taxes in
the coming year.
In April, an initiative with support from Pritzker to put a ballot
measure before voters – which would impose higher taxes on residents
earning more than $1 million per year – failed to receive needed support
from members of the majority party to pass.
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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during an event. Photo:
BlueRoomStream / Screenshot
In a statement, State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, said Pritzker
should have introduced a truly balanced budget that doesn’t rely on
yet-to-exist tax increases. He also said state spending went up by
40% under the governor.
"The governor’s acknowledgement that his supermajority in the
General Assembly appears unlikely to approve new and increased taxes
in the upcoming FY27 budget is a win for taxpayers,” Sosnowski said
in a statement.
On the House floor Wednesday, Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Louisville,
claimed the legislature has not been productive enough in serving
taxpayers over the past few weeks.
“We’re not doing anything to lower the burden of existence in this
state for regular folks,” Wilhour said. “They need lower property
taxes. They need a suspension of the Pritzker gas tax hike. Let’s
just get rid of it. They need a break on their utility bills that
shot through the roof.”
The Center Square contacted the Illinois Revenue Alliance, a
coalition of organizations behind and supportive of the tax-increase
proposals, but did not receive comment before publication. |
