State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) responded to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address, criticizing the governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget for increasing spending and taxes. The proposal outlines $56 billion in spending, which is about $1 billion more than last year’s record-setting $55.2 billion budget.
Deering expressed concerns about the impact of higher taxes and state spending on Illinois families. “The Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address featured the same tactics he always uses, deflection, blaming the federal government for his mistakes, and more insults hurled at the President and Republicans,” Deering said. “Instead of owning up to his own failures, the Governor chose to name-call and continue his divisive rhetoric. He won’t be able to balance a budget on insults, but Governor Pritzker will sure try.”
She continued: “The federal government is not to blame for the deliberate poor budgeting choices made by our state’s failed leadership. The Democratic Supermajority has made intentional moves to continue the tax-and-spend cycle, squeezing hard-working families at every turn. We have sufficient revenue and have had ample opportunities to address federal funding shortfalls, but instead Democrats have prioritized pork projects, illegal immigrants, and pay raises for legislators.”
Deering added: “Our residents must budget down to the last penny to keep up with the tax burden here in Illinois while their government continues to add billions to the state budget and then raise taxes on those same cash-strapped citizens to pay for it. As I said last year in an op-ed I penned to the Chicago Tribune, Illinois doesn’t need a bigger government—it needs a better one, one focused on promoting growth and stability, not making Illinoisans reliant on their government.”
Deering was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 88th House District in 2025 after succeeding Dan Caulkins.
She stated she hopes Democrats will consider how increased taxes affect working families as they review this year’s budget.
The state legislature will review and debate the proposed budget over several months during session hearings. More information about legislative proceedings can be found at ilga.gov.
To contact Representative Deering or follow her work in Springfield, constituents can call (217) 876-1968 or visit RepDeering.com.
