Illinois Democrats Mark One Year Since Federal Budget Law, Criticize Republican Policies (Springfield, IL) – Illinois Democratic leaders are criticizing the federal budget law signed by President Donald Trump one year ago, arguing it has increased costs for families and reduced access to health care and food assistance, while contrasting it with the state’s recently approved Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
In a joint statement, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez, Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Christian Mitchell said the federal law has negatively affected Illinois residents through changes to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), student aid and clean energy incentives.
“This Big Ugly Budget is an attack on working families,” Hernandez said, criticizing Republican members of Illinois’ congressional delegation, including U.S. Reps. Mike Bost, Darin LaHood and Mary Miller, for supporting the legislation. She also pointed to Illinois’ FY27 budget, saying it prioritizes affordability through investments in food assistance, housing and medical debt relief.
Gov. Pritzker also criticized the federal legislation, saying it reduced support for low-income Americans while providing tax benefits to higher-income individuals.
“One year ago, Donald Trump decided to let kids go hungry and kick poor people off their health insurance in order to secure tax breaks for his rich friends,” Pritzker said.
Christian Mitchell, who is running for lieutenant governor, said he has heard concerns from Illinois residents about the impact of changes to federal assistance programs.
The Democratic Party of Illinois highlighted several impacts it attributes to the federal law, including a decline in SNAP participation, increased Affordable Care Act premiums, new work requirements affecting SNAP recipients and reductions in federal Medicaid funding over the next decade.
The party also said rural hospitals and nursing homes could face financial challenges because of Medicaid funding reductions and pointed to changes affecting Pell Grants, federal student loans and residential solar tax credits.
In contrast, Democrats highlighted provisions in Illinois’ Fiscal Year 2027 budget, including nearly $100 million in grocery affordability initiatives, more than $500 million for housing-related investments and $5 million for medical debt relief programs.
Republican supporters of the federal legislation have argued the law reduces federal spending, reforms entitlement programs and extends tax policies intended to promote economic growth.
Illinois Democrats Mark One Year Since Federal Budget Law, Criticize Republican Policies
