Illinois State Representative Marty McLaughlin is sharply criticizing Governor J.B. Pritzker’s latest budget proposal, calling it “performance art” that masks rising spending, shrinking support for local governments, and continued fiscal instability.
Appearing on Chicago’s Morning Answer with host John Anthony filling in, McLaughlin said the governor’s address amounted to a “blame game,” shifting responsibility for Illinois’ financial challenges onto Washington while ignoring the role of Democratic supermajorities in Springfield.
“The buck should stop with you and the supermajority Democrats,” McLaughlin said, arguing that after nearly eight years in office, the administration cannot deflect accountability for high property taxes, insurance costs, and lagging education proficiency rates.
The proposed budget comes after state spending has climbed dramatically in recent years. McLaughlin noted that when Pritzker first took office, the state budget was in the mid-$30 billion range. It now stands at roughly $55 billion and is projected to rise again. He and other Republicans have previously introduced an alternative budget that would reduce spending by approximately $8 billion, though that proposal received little attention.
One of McLaughlin’s chief concerns is the governor’s plan to reduce allocations to the Local Government Distributive Fund. He warned that shifting money away from municipalities to plug gaps in the state’s budget would likely force local governments to raise property taxes.
“That one is going to raise property taxes on everyone,” he said, describing the move as a direct hit to homeowners across Illinois.
McLaughlin also took issue with the administration’s reliance on optimistic revenue forecasts, arguing that when those projections fall short, lawmakers turn to what he called “revenue enhancements,” or tax increases, to close the gap. He pointed to last year’s late-session tax hike and additional energy-related costs approved during veto session as evidence of what he described as a recurring pattern.
Beyond fiscal concerns, McLaughlin criticized the governor’s emphasis on high graduation rates while student proficiency in reading and math remains significantly lower.
“He’s bragging about graduation rates being around 98 percent,” McLaughlin said, “but we’re putting students on the street that have 38 percent proficiency in reading and math.”
He also questioned the state’s refusal to participate in federal school choice funding programs, arguing that parents should have greater flexibility in directing education dollars.
On federal funding, McLaughlin said Illinois became overly reliant on one-time COVID-era dollars and built permanent programs around temporary revenue streams. With federal support declining, he said, the state is now facing structural shortfalls.
“You can’t take a one-time payment and create permanent repeating spending draws,” he said.
McLaughlin also addressed the state’s long-standing pension crisis, which remains one of the largest unfunded liabilities in the country. While improved investment returns have temporarily boosted funding levels, he warned that without structural reform, the burden will continue to weigh heavily on taxpayers and local school districts.
According to recent economic rankings, Illinois continues to lag behind most states in projected growth, a trend McLaughlin attributes to high spending, regulatory burdens, and persistent tax pressure. He cited a recent analysis placing Illinois near the bottom nationally for economic outlook.
Despite the challenges, McLaughlin said reform must extend beyond the governor’s office to include the General Assembly. He argued that legislative leaders have failed to exercise sufficient oversight and that restoring local revenue streams could provide immediate property tax relief.
“The governor’s office is important,” he said, “but so are the state representatives and state senators. They’re the ones who actually hold any governor in check.”
McLaughlin, who previously served as mayor and describes himself as a fiscal conservative and business owner, said his focus remains on reducing spending, restoring fiscal discipline, and making Illinois more competitive with neighboring states.
As debate over the budget continues, he urged voters to look beyond rhetoric and evaluate whether the state’s current trajectory is sustainable.
“When you keep doing things in a way that’s not successful,” he said, “you’ve got to try a different method.”