Illinois state lawmakers face deadline and a budget crunch
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State lawmakers are trying to balance the 2026 budget, weighing the tough decisions of what to prioritize when there's less money to dole out.
Why it matters: The Illinois General Assembly has until May 31 to pass the budget, and agencies that have asked for extra money say not getting it would severely impact Illinoisans' daily lives and the economy.
Driving the news: Revenue for the proposed 2026 budget is more than $500 million short of what Gov. JB Pritzker projected in February.
The latest: One item lawmakers can check off the list is funding a new Bears stadium. The team has reportedly said it is not seeking state money for the project.
By the numbers: The state's budget office projects a little under $54.9 billion in revenue, down from the $55.45 billion previously forecasted.
- Revenue from the feds, like Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, was down nearly $280 million.
- Lower sales tax revenue — which the state attributes to tariffs and an uncertain economy — fell short of projections by about $150 million.
Zoom in: Two big ticket items lawmakers are considering are mass transit and CPS.
Flashback: The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) in April launched a full-press campaign calling for the state's help as they anticipate a $770 million budget shortfall.
The money: RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace leaders say they need $1.5 billion to avoid major service cuts ranging from fewer CTA and Metra routes to thousands of job cuts.
The latest: Sen. Ram Villivalam and transit employees told the media last week that money has to be tied to reform, including safer transit.
- Some of the safety measures Villivalam mentioned were security dedicated to public transit and social services for people experiencing mental health episodes that could be dangerous for them or others.
- The senator could not answer where any money would come from if reforms were made.
Meanwhile, the state's largest school district is facing a $530 million deficit, which prompted teachers and administrators to bring their concerns to the capitol last week.
Friction point: Outgoing CPS CEO Pedro Martinez has put the ball in Mayor Brandon Johnson and state lawmakers' court as he told reporters he expects either or both to cough up $300 million toward next year's budget.
- Martinez will be gone when the next school year starts as he's taking a new job in Massachusetts after the school board fired him without cause late last year. The school board has not hired his replacement.
Between the lines: Both of these are Chicago-area issues, often a tough sell for downstate and rural lawmakers who say the city already sucks all the air out of the room and takes from their districts' needs.
Reality check: Metro Chicago makes up about a third of the state's population and is a major economic engine, so making sure people here can get to work, and there are enough public schools, could be in the state's best interest.