Pritzker Signs Record-High Budget Despite Republican Opposition
On June 16, Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget into law, locking in a record-high $55.9 billion spending plan that continues Illinois’ troubling pattern of higher taxes, increased spending and misplaced priorities.
The budget, which takes effect July 1, was passed by Democratic lawmakers in the early morning hours on the final day of the legislative session. Despite repeated warnings from Senate Republicans about the state’s unsustainable spending habits and the continued burden on Illinois families and employers, the budget advanced without Republican support.
The record-spending budget includes hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes and revenue increases. Since taking office, Governor Pritzker has grown state spending by 40 percent and has repeatedly relied on tax and fee increases to fund his spending plans. At a time when families are already struggling with rising costs, Senate Republicans argued the state should be focused on real, permanent tax relief rather than creating new revenue streams to support more government spending.
The signing also came after the Governor used his veto powers to eliminate over $500 billion in budgeting errors included in the massive spending plan, further highlighting concerns about the rushed and closed-door process used to push the budget through the General Assembly.
My Senate Republican colleagues and I have consistently called for a more responsible approach to budgeting that prioritizes affordability, economic growth, property tax relief, and long-term stability for Illinois taxpayers. Instead, what taxpayers are left with is more spending, more taxes, and fewer meaningful reforms.
Mobile DMV Events in Antioch and Cary Filled to Capacity, Additional Events Coming Soon
Mobile DMV events continue to be very popular in this area, and upcoming events in Antioch and Cary are both filled to capacity. There are no more appointments available for either event. I am working with the Secretary of State’s Office to try and bring additional DMV events to this area.
Additional upcoming outreach events include:
- June 25: Conversations Untapped in Cary
- July 8: Conversations Untapped in Antioch
- July 22: ICASH/Unclaimed Property in McHenry
- July 29: ICASH/Unclaimed Property in Fox Lake
- August 6: Barks & Brews Pet Adoption in Woodstock
- August 8: Document Shredding and Food Collection in Woodstock
- August 13: Property Tax Exemptions Seminar in McHenry
- August 25: IPASS on Demand Sticker Event in Lindenhurst
- September 10: IPASS on Demand Sticker Event in Woodstock
- October 14: Senior Fair in Crystal Lake
- October 25: Veterans Appreciation Luncheon in Lake Zurich
You can learn more about these events on the Events page of my website or by contacting Abby from my events staff at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.
Wilcox Celebrates America 250 Contest Winners with Ice Cream Social
Earlier this year I hosted an America 250 Art Contest for 3rd through 5th grade students throughout the 32nd District. Students were asked to create drawings or paintings that illustrate what America means to them. The quality of the submissions was amazing! It was extremely difficult to choose just four winners.
The winners came to my legislative office in Woodstock and were presented with framed copies of their artwork and official Senate certificates of recognition. Then, we walked across the street to an ice cream parlor on the Woodstock Square and everyone celebrated the artists’ successes with sweet treats.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the art contest.
Revised Senior Driving Law Among New Laws Taking Effect July 1
While most new laws in Illinois take effect on January 1, some measures are scheduled to align with the start of the state’s fiscal year on July 1.
Among the new laws taking effect is House Bill 1226, a long-overdue measure aimed at ending an unfair and discriminatory requirement placed on senior drivers.
Under current law, Illinois drivers aged 79 and older are required to take a behind-the-wheel driving test when renewing their driver’s license. House Bill 1226 raises that age threshold to 87, ensuring that older drivers are not automatically subjected to additional testing based solely on age.
Senate Republicans have long argued that age alone should not determine whether a driver is required to take an additional road test. Instead, the focus should be on a person’s actual ability to safely operate a vehicle.
The new law also creates a process allowing immediate family members to request that the Secretary of State’s Office review a driver if they have observed cognitive or medical concerns that could affect the person’s ability to drive safely, regardless of age. If a report is found credible, the driver may be required to complete written, vision, and behind-the-wheel testing to maintain their license.
House Bill 1226 was signed into law on August 15, 2025, and will officially take effect on July 1, 2026.
Department of Early Childhood set to become fully operational July 1
Beginning July 1, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood is set to become fully operational, marking the next phase in the state’s effort to consolidate early childhood programs and services under one agency.
The department was created in 2024 through Senate Bill 1, also known as the Department of Early Childhood Act. Under the transition, the new department will take over several programs that were previously housed across three separate state agencies: the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Those responsibilities include the Early Childhood Block Grant at ISBE, which funds Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative programs; the Child Care Assistance Program, home-visiting programs and Early Intervention services currently at IDHS; and day care licensing, which has been managed by DCFS.
The department began operating in a limited capacity in 2024, while existing agencies continued administering programs during the transition. The full transfer of programs is scheduled to take effect with the start of fiscal year 2027 on July 1.
Vistra Announces Closure of Three Illinois Power Plants
A major power company has announced plans to close three Illinois power plants in the coming years, raising new concerns about the future reliability and affordability of the state’s energy grid.
Vistra Corp., one of the largest competitive power generators in the country, recently notified the state of Illinois that it intends to close power plants located in Baldwin, Kincaid, and Newton.
According to media reports, the closures will impact hundreds of Illinois workers. Vistra plans to lay off 83 workers from the Newton plant in October 2027, 99 employees at the Kincaid site in January 2028, and 122 employees in Baldwin in February 2028.
Senate Republicans, who have been sounding the alarm about Illinois’ looming energy crisis under Gov. JB Pritzker’s controversial energy policies, said the announcement is frustrating but not unexpected.
For years, Senate Republicans have warned that the Pritzker Administration’s rush to shut down reliable fossil-fuel power without a realistic replacement plan would threaten jobs, weaken grid reliability and drive up costs for families and businesses.
That future was set in motion when Gov. Pritzker signed the controversial Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) in 2021. Under CEJA, Illinois was placed on a government-mandated path to phase out coal and natural gas power generation. However, Gov. Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers have failed to put forward a workable plan to replace the reliable baseload power being forced offline.
The result is now being felt in communities across Illinois. The planned closures in Baldwin, Kincaid and Newton mean lost jobs, reduced local economic activity, and fewer reliable energy resources at a time when electricity demand continues to grow.
Senate Republicans said Illinois needs a balanced energy policy that protects jobs, keeps utility costs affordable and ensures families and employers have access to reliable power.