Illinois Valley Times

Illinois State House District 73 candidate Ryan Spain expressed concerns over the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, stating, "The Fiscal Year 2025 budget is a whopping $2.6 billion more than last year’s enacted budget and includes pay raises for politicians and a staggering $1 billion for non-citizens." Spain, who is running for re-election, added, "Moreover, Democrats voted for $1 billion in tax hikes to pay for their record-breaking spending."

"The Fiscal Year 2025 budget is a whopping $2.6 billion more than last year's enacted budget and includes pay raises for politicians and a staggering $1 billion for non-citizens," said M Spain, State Representative, according to Facebook. "Moreover, Democrats voted for $1 billion in tax hikes to pay for their record-breaking spending."

According to his Facebook post, Rep. Spain shared a link to a Capitol News Illinois article on the budget. The May 28 article reports that it took three attempts for the Democratic majority to approve the billion-dollar revenue increases. In the first two votes, the revenue bill was one vote short of passage due to attendance issues. At 4:43 a.m., it passed with the 60-vote minimum required. The spending plan passed on a 65-47 vote, with seven Democrats joining their Republican colleagues in opposition.

Screenshot of Rep. Ryan Spain's May 31 Facebook post | Rep. Ryan Spain's Facebook page

WGEM reported on May 29 that the budget is now headed to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk. The report noted that the budget comprises three bills: one for appropriations, one to implement spending, and another creating new taxes. It includes $20 billion for education, $500 million for quantum technologies, $115 million for migrant welcoming centers, and almost $630 million for immigrant healthcare upon arrival. Additionally, it provides a $1 per hour raise for direct support personnel working with people who have disabilities and allocates $290 million for Home Illinois, a plan aimed at addressing homelessness.

Other elements in the budget include $20 million allocated to the Coalition Against Sexual Assault to support rape crisis centers across the state. The newly established Department of Early Childhood received more than $10 million, while the Illinois Department of Education will receive $2 million for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program.

Ryan Spain has been serving as a member of the Illinois State House of Representatives representing District 73 since 2017 and is a lifelong resident of Peoria. His political career began in 2007 when he was elected to the Peoria City Council, a position he held until fall 2016. He currently works with OSF Healthcare System as Vice President of Economic Development.