Kendall County Times

Sen. Win Stoller blasted Gov. J.B. Pritzker's latest budget proposal on Feb. 20 claiming it is just more of the same kind of reckless spending that has put the state in trouble.

In a Feb. 18 Facebook post, Stoller reported that if Pritzker's latest spending plan is approved the state will have increased its spending by more than $10 billion, or 25 percent, in just five years.

"We cannot continue to increase our spending year after year, especially as our nation faces a potential recession and the federal pandemic stimulus money has virtually dried up," Stoller said.

Pritzker's new plan is called "Smart Start Illinois" and he has implored lawmakers to join him in supporting the plan. It is projected to begin at the start of the new budget year, July 1.

Pritzker's overall budget plan comes to a record-setting $49.6 billion, with additional funding for education. Overall, it calls for a nearly 8% increase over the $46 billion budget approved last spring.

Pritzker highlighted that there are tax payer benefits to "Smart Start Illinois."

“Long-term investment that has the greatest return for taxpayers with the most positive social and economic impact that I have ever come to you with,” Pritzker said.