Due to the leadership of community groups across the state organizing and working in collaboration with elected officials, Illinois has made meaningful strides in recent years to ensure that all residents have access to the resources they need to thrive - including economic opportunities, healthcare, and tax relief for families across the state. Today Governor Pritzker proposed a budget that maintained funding for essential human services navigation, citizenship programs, and the child tax credit. ICIRR members appreciate these continued investments in the FY 2026 proposed budget.

But the budget proposal also includes a major step backwards by eliminating funding for healthcare for immigrant adults with no other options. At a moment when the federal government is threatening healthcare cuts and leveling repeated attacks against immigrants, our state cannot scale back. Illinois has been a national leader in holding the line against Trump, and our Illinois elected officials must continue to set that tone.

Today begins a negotiation with the General Assembly on what will be included in the final budget. ICIRR and our members will ensure that the voices of our communities are heard in that process to maintain the progress that our state has made, preserve vital healthcare coverage, and pass the revenue needed to fund programs that benefit all Illinoisans for the long term.

ICIRR stands by the recommendations put forth by the Illinois Revenue Alliance that identified $6 billion in potential new revenue that the state leaves uncollected year after year. Collecting revenue through these sources will ensure that the programs our communities need are sustainably funded without putting additional burden on working families through regressive options or program cuts.