SE Illinois News

State Representative Patrick Windhorst, serving as the House Republican Floor Leader since the start of the 103rd General Assembly, cast a no vote on the FY 2025 budget early Wednesday morning. The Illinois House of Representatives concluded its regular session with Windhorst opposing the budget due to over $1 billion in new taxes funding a record spending plan exceeding $53 billion.

"I am concerned with the way that the Democrats’ spending plan prioritizes appropriations for non-citizens to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars and at the same time increases taxes on individuals, working families, and businesses," Windhorst stated. "While I understand the state of Illinois faces budgetary pressures, I would have preferred a budget that prioritized tax cuts and spending cuts during this incredibly difficult financial time for taxpayers."

The FY 2025 budget is outlined in multiple amendments to two bills: SB 251 (budget) and HB 4959 (budget implementation). Expanding on his opposition, Windhorst highlighted that Republicans were excluded from budget negotiations.

"Our caucus represents more than four million Illinoisans, and their best interests are not represented in this budget," Windhorst said. "Republicans have in the past brought forward ideas for property tax relief, ethics reforms, permanent reductions in spending for illegal immigrant spending, and incentives for job creators to come to and stay in Illinois. This budget raises taxes and spending and was put together behind closed doors with no input from the Republicans in either the House or Senate. I voted NO."