» Charlie’s Capitol Catch Up: Budget, Affordability, End of Session

Spring Session Ends with a Flurry of Legislative Action.

State Representative Charlie Meier Votes No on Largest Budget in Illinois History

“I voted no on this record-breaking, tax-hiking budget because it puts the Democratic political agenda ahead of the people of Illinois. Democrats once again broke their promises and abandoned our local workshops, did nothing to provide meaningful tax relief, and created a slew of new taxes to fuel their spending spree while sending Illinois consumers to our neighboring states to spend their hard-earned money.

“At the same time, this budget pours hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into programs for immigrants, gives politicians another pay raise, and is packed with Democratic pet projects while hardworking taxpayers are left footing the bill. As I have done in years past, I will donate this pay raise back to local organizations.

“Illinoisans are tired of being asked to pay more and get less. What’s good for the goose should be good for the gander, but in Illinois, taxpayers are expected to tighten their belts while politicians continue spending without restraint. That double standard is exactly why I voted no.”

$800 Million in New Taxes

Rather than providing relief for working families, Democrats chose to:

Impose a $200 million social media tax, a failed idea borrowed from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Sweep $150 million from the sales tax on motor fuel to support their excessive spending.
Set aside at least $220 million for pork projects and special spending priorities.
Spend $40 million on welcoming centers for illegal immigrants, continuing Illinois’ costly sanctuary-state policies.
Allocate $110 million for healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants over the age of 65.

Check it Out

On Affordability, Democrats Say One Thing and Do Another

Throughout the spring legislative session, Democrats repeatedly claimed affordability was their top priority for Illinois families. But when it came time to deliver, they did what Illinois families have come to expect: said one thing and did another.

Instead of providing relief to working families struggling with rising costs, House Democrats passed the largest budget in Illinois history, a $55.9 billion spending plan propped up by $800 million in new tax hikes.

Before session began, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch made affordability the centerpiece of Democrats’ agenda:

January 6, 2026: “Everything’s about affordability and that’s going to be our focus.”

January 20, 2026: “We’re focused on affordability.”

Then, after passing a record-setting budget packed with $800 million in new tax hikes, Speaker Welch declared victory:

June 1, 2026: “We focused on affordability.”

June 1, 2026: “We need to continue our work on affordability.”

For Illinois families already struggling with the highest taxes in the nation, the Democrats’ version of “affordability” has meant higher taxes, more spending, and bigger government.

Rather than cutting costs or providing meaningful relief, the Democrats’ budget includes:

Diverting $150 million generated from the state sales tax on gas to fuel their excessive spending.
Spending $110 million on healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants over the age of 65.
Allocating $40 million for welcoming centers, continuing Illinois’ red-carpet treatment of illegal immigrants.

While Democrats talked about affordability, House Republicans offered real solutions to lower costs for Illinois families. House Republicans championed legislation such as HB 4519, which would eliminate the state tax on tips, and HB 5611, which would provide property tax relief.

Spring Session Ends with a Flurry of Legislative Action

More than 150 bills were debated and passed by the Illinois General Assembly in the run-up to the May 31st deadline. Legislation that passed in the final week of session included the Fiscal Year 2027 budget package (HB 111 – Budget; HB 2949 – BIMP; SB 3019 – Revenue Omnibus Package; and SB 3255 – Bond Omnibus), a bill allowing rideshare drivers to unionize, e-bike regulations, cannabis and hemp law changes, AI regulation and more.

But the bills that didn’t pass are also notable. Lawmakers didn’t pass a bill aimed at keeping the Bears in Illinois, they punted on Gov. JB Pritzker’s BUILD housing plan, and they declined to regulate data centers or pause tax incentives to them.

For Pritzker, the session was a mixed bag… While he maintained that the budget was the main focus — and lawmakers passed it rather painlessly compared to years past — leaving town without passing Bears, BUILD or data centers at the very least shows some dissension among Democratic ranks.

Landan Carper from Saint Jacob served as Rep. Charlie Meier’s Page for the Day in the Illinois House of Representatives.

“It is refreshing to see young people like Landan have an interest in government,” said Rep. Charlie Meier. “It was an honor to have him around and show him around the Capitol. He is going to go on to do great things!”