In an interview with Politico, House Speaker Chris Welch once again tried to blame Washington for Illinois’ fiscal failures instead of taking responsibility for the Democrat policies that have made our state’s outlook worse.

If Speaker Welch wants to know why Illinois is facing budget trouble, he doesn’t need to look any further than his and his own party’s voting records in Springfield. Governor Pritzker has proposed yet another record-setting state budget at $56 billion, after signing a $55 billion budget last year that included more than $700 million in new taxes and fees.

Nearly 55% of Illinois voters support the state opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program and more than 29 counties held ballot referenda supporting opt-in in Illinois' March Primary Election. But it’s up to Gov. JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the program. Only about one in five oppose him doing so.

More than half of Illinois voters support the state opting into a federal program to let donors help students find extra academic help, according to a new poll.

Over the past two weeks, our state has seen yet another disturbing stretch of public safety failures, driven by leaders at the top who continue to embrace anti-police rhetoric and dangerous policies.

Just look at what has happened over the past two weeks:

IMMIGRATION/PUBLIC SAFETY
House Republicans Expose Public Safety Failures of Gov. Pritzker’s Sanctuary State Policies. Reacting to the murder of a Loyola student by an illegal immigrant on Chicago’s lakefront, House Republican Reps. John Cabello, C.D. Davidsmeyer, Patrick Sheehan, and Patrick Windhorst exposed the public safety failures of Governor JB Pritzker’s sanctuary state policies.

Last week, in a devastating act of violence, a Loyola University student was tragically shot and killed by an illegal immigrant who had an outstanding arrest warrant. It is yet another deadly consequence of Governor Pritzker’s failed sanctuary and public safety policies.

On March 19, 18-year-old college student Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed on the Chicago lakefront, a place Governor Pritzker often claims is safe, by an illegal immigrant with prior offenses who was allowed to stay on our streets.

The alleged murderer, Jose Medina, is a Venezuelan national who was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol and released into the country under the Biden Administration’s Open Border Policy. He was then released again on June 19, 2023, following an arrest for shoplifting in Chicago.

At a Capitol press conference Tuesday, State Rep. John Cabello mourned the death of Sheridan Gorman and called for an end to Illinois’ sanctuary policies.

“So the question before us is simple. Have you had enough yet? Have you had enough of the deadly consequences of Gov. Pritzker’s failed policies?” Cabello asked.

State Rep. Patrick Sheehan, who is also a police officer, said Pritzker called federal law enforcement the Gestapo and Johnson called law enforcement a sickness.

“How will we ever have safe communities in Illinois when the people at the top are undermining law enforcement at every single turn?” Sheehan asked.

State Rep. Patrick Windhorst said Illinois Republicans have introduced legislation to restore public safety.

“Repealing the TRUST Act would allow state and local law enforcement officials and officers to communicate with federal officers to ensure that criminal illegal aliens face deportation proceedings when they are released from jail,” Windhorst said.

Windhorst also outlined proposals to expand the detention net for pretrial release and giving judges discretion when individuals are deemed dangerous.

State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer discussed how Illinois got here and detailed the public safety failures of Gov. Pritzker and Democrat leadership in Springfield.

“We need to remember how we got here,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “None of this happened by accident. This is the direct result of years of failed leadership and misguided priorities. If the borders weren’t open, if these violent criminals weren’t here illegally, Sheridan Gorman and other victims would be alive today. You cannot argue that fact.”

This is just the latest example of how Governor Pritzker’s sanctuary policies and the SAFE-T Act are failing Illinois families. Under Gov. Pritzker and Democratic leadership, we’ve seen:

o Failed sanctuary state policies that, combined with Biden’s Open Border Policy, led to a surge of 550,000 illegal immigrants into Illinois

o More than $3 billion in taxpayer funds being spent on health care and other benefits for illegal immigrants

o A string of horrific crimes committed by violent offenders who were in this country illegally

Sheridan Gorman’s murder is not the first such incident of violent crime committed by illegal immigrants:

o Katie Abraham, and her friend Chloe Polzin, were killed in January 2025 in Urbana when a drunk driver who was an undocumented immigrant struck their car.

o Baltazar Perez-Estrada was charged with first-degree murder after prosecutors said he stabbed Maricela Simon Franco, dozens of times, killing her in front of their children.

o Edwin Pacheco-Meza was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI after Illinois State Police said a crash killed an Illinois couple.

o ABC7 reported Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, described by DHS as living in the U.S. illegally, was charged with concealment of a death, abuse of a corpse, and obstructing justice after Megan Bos, 37, was found dead in a container on his property.

“Governor Pritzker must be held accountable for these public safety failures,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “On his watch, we’ve seen a steady embrace of anti-police rhetoric and policies leading to open hostility towards law enforcement and ICE agents; sanctuary state policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; and billions in spending with little transparency or accountability. We cannot continue down this path.

“It’s time to restore balance. It’s time to restore accountability. And most importantly, it’s time to restore public safety in Illinois.”

• Pritzker Admits Illinois Immigration Policies Are Failing

During a recent media availability, Governor Pritzker briefly got one thing right when he admitted there have been “real failures” in immigration enforcement. But once again, he is trying to blame the federal government for problems his own policies helped create.

Governor Pritzker wants to point fingers over the ongoing crisis of illegal immigrants committing crimes in Illinois, but he cannot escape his own record. The Governor attempted to blame Washington for bad immigration policy but under the current administration, border crossings are at their lowest levels in years.

The Governor can blame Washington all he wants, but here in Illinois, he has spent years undermining the very enforcement efforts he now claims are not working.

The Governor also said immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government. That is rich coming from someone who spent the last year attacking federal law enforcement and standing in the way of its operations. Just look at his record:

o Governor Pritzker called federal law enforcement “jackbooted thugs” for enforcing immigration laws.

o He signed the Illinois Way Forward Act, strengthening barriers that prevent federal and local law enforcement from coordinating on immigration enforcement.

o He created ICE-free zones to interfere with federal enforcement efforts.

Governor Pritzker has also argued that local and state law enforcement should be responsible for catching and prosecuting violent criminals. But thanks to the SAFE-T Act, Illinois has failed there too. Consider just a few examples:

o The illegal immigrant charged in the killing of Sheridan Gorman was arrested for shoplifting in 2023 and never showed up to court.

o A woman was set on fire on a CTA train by a criminal who was out on electronic monitoring.

o Another man was punched onto CTA tracks by someone with a long history of violent crime.

It is no surprise that Governor Pritzker is trying to blame others for the consequences of his own policies. But while he points fingers, House Republicans are advancing real solutions. HB 1479 allows the court to revoke pretrial release if a person violates their conditions of release, and HB 1482 would expand detention eligibility for pretrial release.

Illinois families deserve more than excuses. They deserve leaders who will put public safety first.

AGRICULTURE
Welcoming students to FFA Agriculture Legislative Day. It was great to see so many blue and gold jackets (with a few green and white sprinkled into the mix) at the Capitol Tuesday for National Agriculture Day and Agriculture Legislative Day!

Thank you to all the students who came to the Capitol and spent time with us discussing Ag legislation.

CHICAGO BEARS
Reps. Ugaste and Keicher: Bears Deal Must Protect Taxpayers, Not Stick Them with the Bill. The following opinion piece by State Representatives Jeff Keicher and Dan Ugaste appeared in The Illinoize on March 25, 2026.

Recently, the lead negotiator on the Chicago Bears stadium proposal suggested Republicans are trying to have it “both ways,” claiming we oppose the deal while also blaming Democrats for potentially losing the team.

That’s simply not true.

Let’s be clear: we want the Chicago Bears to remain in Illinois. We want a world-class stadium that can attract marquee events like Super Bowls, Final Fours, and national conventions that bring real economic activity to our state. Illinois has already watched too many of those opportunities go elsewhere. This year’s Final Four in Indianapolis is just the latest reminder.

But wanting a stadium and supporting a bad deal are not the same thing.

As currently drafted, this proposal puts additional pressure on Illinois’ already overburdened property tax payers. It allows local taxing bodies to shift relief granted to the Bears onto everyone else. In plain terms, that means homeowners and small businesses could end up paying more to make the deal work.

That is a non-starter.

Large-scale economic development projects should ease the tax burden on surrounding communities, not quietly redistribute it. If a deal requires shifting costs onto already tapped-out taxpayers, it’s not a good deal. It’s a bailout disguised as development.

This moment also exposes a much larger issue: Illinois’ ever-increasing property tax burden. For years, Democrats have responded not with reform, but with task forces and working groups. Meanwhile, property taxes continue to rise.

After decades of control, and supermajorities in the General Assembly for the past seven years, the majority party owns this problem.

Let us be clear: we are open to working with the Democrats. But any solution must address the property tax shift and include simple, common sense reforms that protect all taxpayers. We can start by moving all referendum questions to the November ballot, when voter participation is highest. We must end the use of backdoor referenda that sidestep transparency. We need to have discussions for all taxpayers in Illinois in the public square.

Ultimately, the goal is straightforward: any agreement must protect taxpayers, not stick them with the bill.

Read the rest of the opinion piece here.

EDUCATION
Schmidt, Schweizer Hold Press Conference on Kindergarten Requirement. State Representatives Kevin Schmidt and Brandun Schweizer held a press conference this week, alongside Principal Darla Wall from Annette Officer Elementary School in East St. Louis to discuss their support for a Kindergarten requirement.

HB 4253, filed by Rep. Schmidt and co-sponsored by Rep. Schweizer, would require all students in Illinois to enroll in kindergarten to learn essential skills in reading, writing, and mathematics before entering 1st grade. Currently, Illinois requires public schools to offer Kindergarten programs but does not mandate attendance.

Schmidt says that these early years can set students up for an educational career of success, and all students should be prepared to enter the grade they are going into.

“With my bill, students must have a Kindergarten education prior to entering 1st grade, and they can enter before the age of 6, but must begin Kindergarten no later than age 6,” said Schmidt. “Kindergarten is a crucial stage in education that supports independence, and this bill will strengthen our children’s future through a strong kindergarten experience.”

Schweizer, a sitting member of the Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Education Committee echoes Schmidt’s thoughts and reiterated the need for this requirement.

“Early education and intervention are crucial for development,” said Rep. Schweizer. “By age 5, nearly 90% of brain growth has occurred, making Kindergarten a prime point for intervention, when entered by the age of 6. Our nation is facing a literacy crisis, with nearly a quarter of adults being illiterate and nearly 20% of adults facing illiteracy in Illinois alone. By requiring students to attend Kindergarten, we are taking strides to address those gaps.”

Darla Wall, a principal with over 20 years of experience in the classroom encourages everyone to support this legislation.

“In my school district, year-after-year, I see too many young students absent from Kindergarten and missing out on fundamental learning exercises,” said Wall. They are not as prepared as their peers, and their entire educational career can be jeopardized. Kindergarten teaches young children how to work and play with others, while developing basic academics and social skills.”

• 36th Annual Cherry Pie Day: Homeschool Advocates Come to the Capitol

Hundreds of homeschool families came to the Illinois State Capitol this week to advocate for homeschooling and speak to lawmakers about the benefits of this educational pathway. The cherry pies are handed out annually to lawmakers – a sweet tradition celebrating thriving homeschool freedom!

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie had the opportunity to speak to the group at the Illinois State Library. In her remarks, she acknowledged their impressive advocacy and reminded them to stay vigilant in light of poor public policy that came forward last year that threatened to limit homeschool freedom.

“You didn’t just show up last year… you showed what’s possible when people refuse to sit quietly,” said McCombie of the 48,000 voices that stood opposed to HB 2827 last year and stopped it in its tracks.

“Homeschooling works,” said McCombie. “It works because you are invested. It works because it’s focused on the child, not the system. And instead of learning from your success…too many under this dome are still trying to control it.”

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Democracy “Inaction” – Democrats put thumb on House scales. This week was “committee deadline week” in the House, when bills must pass out of House committees with recommendations to be heard on the House floor for discussion and debate. Thousands of bills are introduced in each General Assembly and only a fraction of them get a green light to move forward.

When the House adjourned on Friday, March 27, its committees had reported 500 bills to the Illinois House floor for further discussion and debate. Almost 90% of these 500 bills were sponsored by majority Democrats. Although millions of votes are cast on the Republican side by Illinoisans every election day, only 56 of the 500 bills (11%) were sponsored by Republicans. The is was only one-quarter of the Republican percentage of the vote in the most recent general election for President in November 2024. In this election the victorious Republican candidate, Donald Trump, got more than 2.4 million (43.5% of the total cast) votes in Illinois.

OUTDOOR SPORTS
Spring trout season opens. The Spring 2026 Illinois trout season will open on Saturday, April 4. Possession of a fishing license, plus a trout stamp, is required for almost all anglers who want to cast for trout. Exceptions to the fishing license/trout stamp requirement exist in favor of persons who are younger than age 16, blind, a person with disabilities, or are an Illinois resident on leave from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Anglers often head towards one of the lakes and ponds of Illinois that have been stocked with trout. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has posted a list of stocked trout fishing locations.

MARCH MADNESS
University of Illinois Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball Team reaches Elite Eight. In the NCAA 2026 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, UIUC men’s and women’s teams were both invited. With the Western Illinois University (WIU) Women’s Leathernecks, these teams played a series of games that began on Friday, March 20. The WIU women were eliminated last Friday, and the UIUC women’s squad was defeated on Monday.

At the end of this week, the U of I Fighting Illini men’s basketball team had defeated three successive opponents. The Fighting Illini’s “Sweet Sixteen” tournament victory over Houston on Thursday puts them into an “Elite Eight” matchup against their arch-rival Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, March 27.

Yesterday, during a media availability, Governor Pritzker briefly got one thing right when he admitted there have been “real failures” in immigration enforcement. But once again, he is trying to blame the federal government for problems his own policies helped create.

Governor Pritzker wants to point fingers over the ongoing crisis of illegal immigrants committing crimes in Illinois, but he cannot escape his own record. The Governor attempted to blame Washington for bad immigration policy but under the current administration, border crossings are at their lowest levels in years.

The Governor can blame Washington all he wants, but here in Illinois, he has spent years undermining the very enforcement efforts he now claims are not working.

Last week, in a devastating act of violence, a Loyola University student was tragically shot and killed by an illegal immigrant who had an outstanding arrest warrant. It is yet another deadly consequence of Governor Pritzker’s failed sanctuary and public safety policies.

AGENCY MISMANAGEMENT
Illinois Doesn’t Have a Revenue Problem, It Has a Management Problem. Illinois families are used to hearing the same explanation whenever something goes wrong in state government: we just need more money.

Yet Illinois already has one of the highest overall tax burdens in the country, and state spending continues to grow year after year. This year’s budget again expands spending and government programs.

So if government keeps getting bigger, why do basic services keep getting worse? 

The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into how the Illinois Department of Transportation is handling safety on the CTA. Governor Pritzker may dismiss it as a “sham,” but Chicago residents know the reality. Violent crime on public transit has surged, and meaningful intervention is long overdue.

Governor Pritzker Needs a Dose of Reality
During an interview with Capitol News Illinois last week, Governor Pritzker dismissed state Republicans as “doom grifters” and “carnival barkers,” even suggesting they are rooting for Illinois to fail. The truth is, House Republicans have repeatedly offered real solutions for the challenges facing our state, only to be shut out of the legislative process by the Democratic supermajority.

The governor also made several claims that simply do not hold up to scrutiny. Here are the facts: 

During an interview with Capitol News Illinois last week, Governor Pritzker dismissed state Republicans as “doom grifters” and “carnival barkers,” even suggesting they are rooting for Illinois to fail. The truth is, House Republicans have repeatedly offered real solutions for the challenges facing our state, only to be shut out of the legislative process by the Democratic supermajority.

The governor also made several claims that simply do not hold up to scrutiny. 

ILLINOIS’ ECONOMY
Moody's and WalletHub Paint the Real Picture. “Everything is too damned expensive,” Governor Pritzker said during his budget address last month. But instead of taking responsibility for Illinois’ struggling economy, continued outmigration, and high tax burden, the governor once again pointed fingers at Washington, D.C.

Illinois families know these problems didn’t suddenly appear in 2025. After years of one-party rule and policies under Governor Pritzker, families are being taxed out of the state and economic growth continues to lag behind the rest of the country. Recent reports from Moody’s Analytics and WalletHub help explain why. 

Governor JB Pritzker has spent months attacking the federal government for overreach. Yet here in Illinois, he continues to push proposals that do the very same thing, taking away critical funding and stripping local control from communities across our state. Time and again, Governor Pritzker has tried to centralize more power in Springfield while leaving local governments with fewer resources and less authority. 

AFFORDABILITY/TAXES
Governor Pritzker is Making Life Too Damn Expensive. During his budget address last week, Governor Pritzker declared that everything is “too damned expensive.” On that point, Republicans agree. But the Governor failed to take accountability for his role in making Illinois less affordable, and his proposed budget makes clear that more of the same is on the way.

In his latest proposal, Governor Pritzker continues to squeeze working families and drive up the cost of living: 

During his budget address last week, Governor Pritzker declared that everything is “too damned expensive.” On that point, Republicans agree. But the Governor failed to take accountability for his role in making Illinois less affordable, and his proposed budget makes clear that more of the same is on the way. 

AFFORDABILITY/BUDGET
Pritzker’s Budget Blame Game Won’t Make Life More Affordable for Illinois Families. Governor JB Pritzker delivered his annual Budget/State of the State Address Wednesday to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly.

Governor Pritzker’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget is a record-high $56 billion, nearly a billion dollars more than last year’s enacted budget. Pritzker’s spending plan relies on $728 million in new revenue, including new taxes on social media platforms and higher gaming taxes. 

After seven years in office, Illinois families are still being squeezed by high taxes, rising crime, and a governor who governs with arrogance instead of accountability. Governor JB Pritzker promised stability and progress, but his tenure has delivered bigger government, higher costs, and policies that continue to fail the people of Illinois.

Illinois deserves an honest accounting of where we are and how we got here. Governor Pritzker’s record speaks for itself. Below are just a few examples of how his leadership has failed Illinois: 

AFFORDABILITY/TAXES
House Republicans Discuss Democrat Tax Hikes and Affordability for Illinois Families. House Republican State Representatives Dave Severin and Kyle Moore held a Zoom press conference on Wednesday to alert Illinois taxpayers about two pending legislative proposals that would increase taxes on campfires and grocery bags. 

With the 2026 tax season upon us, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), have both announced they began accepting and processing 2025 tax returns beginning on Monday, January 26th.

In Illinois, taxpayers may use MyTax Illinois, a free online management program offered by the state for those filing state taxes. The software is open to individuals and businesses, utilized by IDOR, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), and the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC). MyTax Illinois also allows taxpayers to make payments, respond to department inquiries, and check the status of returns with the Where’s My Refund? site.

Democratic State Representative Laura Faver Dias has filed a bill to bring back the Democrats’ proposed bag tax, just another example of their push to raise the cost of living on Illinois families.

As more legislation is introduced, it’s becoming clear that Democrats’ agenda for the 2026 session is to make everyday life even more expensive. Under Faver Dias’s proposal, a new carryout bag tax would be imposed and then increased by five cents each year through 2030. The tax would apply to paper, plastic, and even reusable bags. 

AFFORDABILITY
Democrats Want to Tax Your Campfires. When it comes to staying warm and enjoying time outdoors, Illinois House Democrats seem determined to make it as expensive as possible. First came their massive energy rate hike last fall. Now, Representative Murri Briel and House Democrats are proposing legislation that would allow municipalities to charge a fee just for lighting a campfire.

House Bill 4459 would open the door for local governments to impose a $5 charge on open burns, including campfires. For families, campers, and anyone simply trying to enjoy the outdoors, this is effectively another tax on everyday life. 

When it comes to staying warm and enjoying time outdoors, Illinois House Democrats seem determined to make it as expensive as possible. First came their massive energy rate hike last fall. Now, Representative Murri Briel and House Democrats are proposing legislation that would allow municipalities to charge a fee just for lighting a campfire. 

House Bill 4459 would open the door for local governments to impose a $5 charge on open burns, including campfires. For families, campers, and anyone simply trying to enjoy the outdoors, this is effectively another tax on everyday life. 

AFFORDABILITY
How Much Longer Will Governor Pritzker Lie About His Record On Affordability? This week on the I’ve Had It podcast, Governor JB Pritzker once again claimed he is fighting to lower taxes for working and middle-class families. Illinois families know that claim simply does not match reality.

Just last year, Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly passed the largest budget in state history, totaling more than $55 billion and including roughly $700 million in new taxes. 

This week on the I’ve Had It podcast, Governor JB Pritzker once again claimed he is fighting to lower taxes for working and middle-class families. Illinois families know that claim simply does not match reality.

Just last year, Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly passed the largest budget in state history, totaling more than $55 billion and including roughly $700 million in new taxes. 

After promising to return to Springfield to work for their districts and address affordability, House Democrats spent the first week of session doing anything but.

On the opening day of session, Democrats were in the chamber for less than 30 minutes. The following day was consumed almost entirely by politically motivated resolutions attacking federal law enforcement, resolutions that did nothing to lower costs for Illinois families, or address the affordability crisis Democrats themselves created. 

AFFORDABILITY
House Republicans Prioritize Affordability for Illinois Families. As legislative session resumed in the Illinois House this week, House Republican lawmakers held a press conference in the Capitol to talk about their session priorities. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie stood beside Assistant Leader Amy Elik and State Representative Joe Sosnowski to talk about delivering affordability to Illinois families.

“House Republicans have long focused on reining in spending, providing real tax relief for hardworking families, and creating opportunities for growth,” said Leader McCombie. “What is new is hearing House Democrats suddenly embrace the word ‘affordability.’ Here’s the problem: you can’t have affordability without accountability.” 

During remarks earlier this month at the City Club of Chicago, Speaker Welch claimed that Democrats are working to bring down the cost of living. That statement is difficult to square with reality, given how much Democratic policies have increased costs for Illinois families over just the past year.

Since May of last year alone, Democrats have driven up the cost of living through a series of tax hikes and expensive policy decisions. 

AFFORDABILITY
Republicans Will Continue to Expose and Oppose Bad Policy. As lawmakers in the Illinois House prepare to return to legislative session next week, Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has set expectations as to where her caucus’ priorities will be when the House convenes on January 20th.

At a recent City Club of Chicago event, Speaker of the House Emmanuel “Chris” Welch said the legislature is focused on “bringing down the cost of living,” and suggested that meeting the everyday needs of Illinoisans takes precedence over requests for new high-profile projects like a Bears stadium. 

ENERGY
Pritzker signs CRGA energy bill, costing consumers billions in higher energy rates. Governor JB Pritzker signed a controversial battery storage and energy omnibus bill into law Thursday. Senate Bill 25, also known as CRGA, is another example of flawed green energy policies that Illinois ratepayers are already all too familiar with.

Pritzker’s signing of SB 25 comes on the heels of a study released last month by three state agencies that detailed the ‘credible risk’ of electricity shortages across Illinois within the next five years.