Macon Reporter

State Representative Regan Deering of Decatur has expressed her disapproval of the recently passed FY26 Illinois State Budget. The budget, which totals $55.2 billion, includes $1 billion in new taxes and represents an increase of nearly $2 billion over the previous year's budget.

Rep. Deering criticized the budget, stating, "The FY26 budget is filled with more taxes, higher costs, and fewer opportunities for hard-working Illinoisans." She argued that this level of spending continues a pattern she describes as a "downward tax-and-spend spiral" that negatively impacts taxpayers.

Deering further commented on the lack of reforms in the budget. "We don’t need a bigger government; we need a better one," she said. She emphasized the need for reform rather than increased spending and criticized Democrats for failing to address property tax reform, structural reform, or ethics reform.

"In the real world, when money runs out, you prioritize, stretch, and reform your spending habits," Deering remarked. She noted that during Governor Pritzker's six-year tenure, the state budget has grown by 38%, resulting in an additional $15 billion burden on Illinois families. According to Deering, this growth reflects a failure to focus on constituents' needs over political projects.

Concluding her statement, Deering called for a balanced approach to budgeting: "We need a truly balanced budget, not one that banks on hopeful revenue streams."