Regan Deering, Illinois State Representative for 88th District | www.reganforillinois.com
Regan Deering, Illinois State Representative for 88th District | www.reganforillinois.com
State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) participated in a press conference with State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) to criticize Governor J.B. Pritzker for what they described as political posturing and a lack of transparency regarding Executive Order 2025-05, issued in September.
“As a first-year legislator, I came into the budgeting process hopeful. Hopeful that maybe my Democrat colleagues would recognize the seriousness of our state’s financial crisis and rein in spending where we could,” said Rep. Deering. “Unfortunately, we all saw how that panned out. Another bloated budget signed, spending nearly $2 billion more than the year before. More taxes, more spending, and less opportunities for hardworking Illinoisans.”
Executive Order 2025-05 required state agencies to identify immediate spending cuts and submit their plans to the Governor by October 23rd. According to Deering and Elik, no information about these plans has been released by either the Governor’s Office or any state agency.
“In Springfield, the budgeting process is not based in reality because in the real world, when money gets tight, businesses and families prioritize, stretch, and reform, not rely on hopeful revenue streams to close the gaps,” continued Rep. Deering. “The Illinois families I talk to have to balance their own budgets at home and spend within their means. The government should simply be required to do the same.”
Earlier this year, Deering introduced HB 3792 which would require Illinois’ government to pass a balanced budget; this proposal remains under consideration in committee.
“Instead of eyeing a bid for higher office, Governor Pritzker needs to do the job he was elected to here in Illinois. We are ranked at the top of almost every tax list published. And for what? To fund shortfalls in Chicago? To support pay raises for legislators? To give illegal aliens top-of-the-line benefits? It’s shameful that our Governor gets away with smoke and mirror tactics, dangling Executive Orders in the faces of Illinoisans to score cheap political points,” concluded Deering.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking details on proposed spending reductions from Executive Order 2025-05; this request was denied by the Governor’s Office due to ‘internal deliberations.’
Deering was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 88th House District in 2025 following Dan Caulkins' tenure.
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