Peoria Standard

State Representative Travis Weaver of Peoria has voiced his concerns following the approval of Illinois' Fiscal Year 2026 state budget. The new budget amounts to $55.2 billion, marking an increase of $2 billion from the previous year and a 38 percent rise compared to six years ago.

Weaver criticized the budget's size and its reliance on tax increases for balancing. "This year’s $55.2 billion budget is $2 billion more than last year and 38 percent higher than it was just six years ago," he stated. He further commented on the approach taken by the majority party, saying, "This is outrageous and egregious spending, and to top it off the majority party is raising taxes by $1 billion to ‘balance’ their budget hole."

According to Weaver, Illinois faces a spending issue rather than a revenue problem. He emphasized the need for fiscal discipline: "We have to tighten our belts, cut waste, and respect our taxpayers and their hard-earned dollars."

Weaver also expressed dissatisfaction with the budget process itself, highlighting a lack of transparency. "This year’s budget process once again involved zero transparency and bills introduced in the final moments of session with no time for actual debate or input," he said.

He noted that multimillion-dollar projects aimed at Democrat-controlled districts were included to secure votes for the budget's passage. Weaver advocated for policies like zero-based budgeting to better manage state finances.

"This year’s budget assures that Democrats will need to raise taxes once again next year to cover for their out-of-control spending and unsustainable expansion of programs," he predicted. Weaver called for a more transparent budgeting process that focuses on economic growth and reducing taxes: "Our taxpayers deserve a better and more transparent process that prioritizes economic growth and lower taxes."