Reaction pours in from Gov. Pritzker’s State of the State address

Posted on February 21, 2024
Gov. Pritzker delivered his State of the State address on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy: Gov. Pritzker/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – “Today we saw Gov. Pritzker introduce the largest budget in the history of the state of Illinois,” said State Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb), Illinois House Republicans’ chief “budgeteer” in reaction to Wednesday’s State of the State and budget speech by Gov. JB Pritzker.

And, in case anyone missed it, she repeated: “The largest budget in the history of the state of Illinois.”

She said the $52 billion total and estimated $775 million deficit are big turn-offs, especially when everyone knew the pandemic relief money had run out.

Democrats praised the governor’s priorities. “Issues like workforce development, the child tax credit, early childhood education, K-12 investments, higher education, access to health care, elimination of medical debt, immigrant services,” said State Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago).

Both sides say they hope for bipartisanship, though postgame news conferences Wednesday did not mention the phrase “common ground.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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