With just one month remaining in the 2026 Spring Legislative Session, the policy choices being made in Springfield are coming into sharper focus—and so are the consequences. This week, I joined colleagues to draw a clear contrast between good policy and bad policy, highlighting how misplaced priorities continue to burden taxpayers while failing to deliver results. From millions wasted on ineffective oversight bodies to ever-increasing education spending with little to show for it, Illinoisans are once again being asked to pay more for government that does less.
Brad
I joined my colleagues for a press conference this week on a policy choices being debated in Springfield with only a month left in the 2026 Spring legislative session.
Here are just a couple concerns I have with only a month left in the 2026 Spring Legislative Session
On the Commission on Equity and Inclusion: The Commission on Equity and Inclusion has spent approximately $15 Million dollars since its inception, and they are asking for another 5.7 million this year. At the same time, they have erased half the state’s vendors from their program due to failed oversight and planning by their leadership”. Halbrook continued: “And speaking of that leadership – after their worst year the commission has ever had, they want an 8% increase in the salaries of all their executives.
On Evidence Based Funding Formula for K12 Education: We’ve been throwing over $350 million dollars more every year at education spending, totalling billions every state budget, but somehow the Democrats still believe that the answer is more money.
Republicans believe the government needs to get out of the way. As former President Ronald Reagan once said: ‘The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.’”
In this video, I highlight the long-term consequences of policy decisions that have led to high taxes, rising costs of living, and growing concerns about education and public safety in Illinois. I point to continued population loss and the departure of families and job creators as a warning sign, urging lawmakers to recognize the trend and change course before more opportunity leaves the state.
I joined Jeanne and Amy on The Real Story this week. We discussed the Bears deal, the outrageous Commission on Equity and Inclusion, and the loss of 900 MW of natural gas power that is literally moving to Texas because of our stupid woke energy policy, CEJA, that passed in 2021.
Illinois’ Supermajority Democrats, across the board, are SELFISH. They’re not looking out for anyone but themselves and their own political power. State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) is a classic example of this, and she is cranking out ‘death bills’ at a blistering pace. She is clearly a top ringleader of a very nefarious group of legislators. To add insult to injury, they expect YOU to pay for their ghoulish plans!
Under the guise of ‘helping women’, LGBTQIA+ identifying Rep. Cassidy has introduced and sponsored several recent House Bills that are actually targeting vulnerable groups (specifically women, minorities, minors and defenseless babies). The fathers of these groups are not even considered or mentioned. Adding to her hypocritical stance, FACTS support that Black and Hispanic women statistically have the highest rate of abortions:
Here is the breakdown of the morbid legislation currently making its way through the Illinois General Assembly (ILGA).
HB 4834- This bill would expand access to abortion-related drugs in ways that weaken longstanding safety standards and oversight. By loosening safeguards around how these drugs are prescribed and distributed, it increases the risk of complications going unreported and puts women’s health at greater risk—while reducing accountability for providers.
HB 4839- This legislation would eliminate the requirement for fetal death certificates in certain miscarriage situations, further removing legal recognition of unborn children. It not only diminishes the humanity of these children, but also weakens the state’s ability to treat the loss of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby as a double tragedy under the law.
HB 5408- This bill would direct additional state resources toward expanding abortion access, further entrenching Illinois as a destination for abortion services. At a time when many families are struggling, it raises serious concerns about how taxpayer dollars are being prioritized and used.
HB 4966- This proposal would establish so-called “rights” to abortion for minors in state custody, allowing vulnerable youth under DCFS to obtain abortions with reduced involvement from parents or trusted adults. Instead of strengthening protections, it risks isolating these children at a critical moment and opens the door to coercion and lack of informed consent.
SEND A MESSAGE TO THE ILGA THAT YOU ARE OUTRAGED AND DISGUSTED!
Using the links below, you can send a pre-written message to your State Senator in just a few minutes:
Tell Your State Senator to Oppose HB 4966
Delusional Dems Want To Be Rewarded For Failure
Illinois’ Supermajority Democrat Party still doesn’t get it. Their success statistics are abysmal (if they exist at all) and the citizens of the state have stated loud and clear that they want school choice as their #1 option.
And what is the Democrat response? Same as always…
THEY WANT MORE MONEY
As Illinois’ high school graduation rate is on track to plunge 32%, and the state’s higher education funding is already double the national average, Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons (D- Champaign-Urbana, pictured below) has introduced House Bill 1581 which would give the state’s public universities $135 million a year over the next 15 years!!
Read The Illinois Policy Report HERE
The language in this bill is vague gobbledygook at best:
Even the Supermajority Democrats couldn’t get behind it.
The amendment’s proponents would like voters to see it on the November ballot, but that’s not likely to happen since the House did not take this matter up before adjourning last week. In its current state, the proposed tax would create a 3% tax on income over $1 million and the revenue would (supposedly) go to property tax relief and K-12 education.
There are SO many things wrong with the thinking behind this proposed tax, but let’s start here:
Why is throwing more money at problems Democrats’ solution to absolutely EVERYTHING?
$1 million really doesn’t go that far these days (especially in Illinois). Why should people who are trying hard to be successful be punished for it?
If Democrats really want to give property tax relief, then GIVE LEGITIMATE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF!!
Democrats have run the Illinois public school system into the ground despite the obscene amount of taxpayer money they have already miserably mismanaged. Why should they get MORE money?
Illinois already has a flat income tax in the constitution, and voters rejected a proposal in 2020 to implement a graduated income tax structure.
Note to Democrats:
Try coming up with some original ideas that will actually benefit Illinoisans.
Read More From Capitol News IL HERE
Illinois may be losing upwards of $700 million in penalties under new federal law because of INCOMPETENT LEADERSHIP that made too many mistakes in determining who qualifies for federal food aid.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Illinois’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rate was 11.56% in 2024- worse than 38 other states and higher than the national average.
In order to protect taxpayers and struggling families, the state must increase its administrative precision, but they’re already trying to pass the buck and make Illinoisans responsible for their failures.
Now, the Illinois Department of Human Services wants taxpayers to pay for their shoddy performance.
The Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary, Dulce Quintero (pictured below) is seeking, at minimum, $40 million dollars from state taxpayers due to ‘federal policy changes’.
Um, NO. Your negligence created this mess, Sec. Quintero- not the federal government.
FIGURE IT OUT.
That’s what grown-ups do.
Read More From Center Square HERE
A little bit of money + a big idea + a lot of determination =
the quintessential American success story?
Read about the journeys of these ten well-known American companies whose visions began in their garages before they became global household names:
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