### Illinois Lawmakers Approve $55.2 Billion Budget Minutes Before Deadline

SPRINGFIELD - In a late-night maneuver, Illinois lawmakers narrowly approved a $55.2 billion state budget package just minutes before a critical constitutional deadline on Saturday night. The budget aims to address an estimated $1 billion shortfall through a series of tax hikes impacting smokers, gamblers, and large out-of-state corporations.

Democratic leaders managed to avoid the chaos and public disputes that characterized the end of last year's legislative session. Despite strong opposition from progressives regarding cuts to a state health care program for immigrants without legal status, the primary budget bill passed easily through the Democratic supermajorities.

"It's not perfect, but vote yes," urged state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado on the House floor before the bill was passed with a 75-41 vote. Only two suburban Democrats opposed the measure. Several Senate Democrats also voted against party lines on other budget measures. The controversial $400 million cut to the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program, recommended by Gov. JB Pritzker, would impact nearly 33,000 people in Illinois.

State Rep. Lisa Hernandez expressed her initial reluctance to support the budget due to these cuts. "It's a budget that's gonna hurt," she stated, highlighting the cost-saving benefits the program had provided in reducing charitable care expenses at hospitals. Ultimately, she joined with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch and state Senate President Don Harmon in backing the plan.

Despite setting aside $110 million for a similar program for adults 65 or older without legal status, Hernandez warned this might be the final year of such funding due to potential federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump's administration.

To bridge the budget gap, lawmakers implemented a tax on online sports wagers, a measure targeting platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel. Additional taxes were levied on cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and chewing tobacco.

A proposal to impose a 10% tax on digital advertising by tech giants like Facebook was dropped, but a new tax method for large out-of-state companies is expected to generate an additional $72 million. A tax amnesty program is predicted to bring in $198 million from delinquents.

"We're presenting a budget that meets this moment," said state Rep. Robyn Gabel, a key House budget negotiator. She emphasized that the budget is balanced through strategic cuts and revenue measures without burdening working families.

Unlike last year, when House Democrats struggled to pass a spending bill, this year saw more party cohesion in the House, although Senate Democrats showed greater dissent. Even state Rep. Fred Crespo supported the budget, despite being ousted from the caucus by Speaker Welch for his alternative proposals.

Republicans, excluded from crucial budget discussions, vehemently criticized the plan. Senate Minority Leader John Curran condemned the budget for starting with $1 billion in taxes. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie criticized the inclusion of nearly 5% pay raises for General Assembly members, calling it a burden on Illinois families.

The final budget bill was approved by the House at 11:53 p.m., just seven minutes before the need for a three-fifths majority would have been required, capping months of closed-door negotiations and a race against the clock.