Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at a campaign event in November 2022. | JB Pritzker/Facebook
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at a campaign event in November 2022. | JB Pritzker/Facebook
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is facing criticism from Republican lawmakers over the burden caused by the cost of healthcare and other services for undocumented immigrants.
According to a story by WFIW Radio, Pritzker said that since August, the state has provided $240 million to support migrants who were transported from other states.
A recent Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Service report projected that it would cost the state about $1 billion to provide healthcare for undocumented immigrants this year.
Pritzker said those funds are needed to provide necessary services.
“We’re talking about shelter, we’re talking about food, we’re talking about health care,” Pritzker said.
The report also estimated that an additional 108,000 undocumented immigrants will need care, far exceeding earlier estimates. As a result, Republican lawmakers warn the economic strain will overwhelm the budget.
Pritzker and the Illinois Immigrant Impact Task Force recently released a report examining issues that affect immigrant and refugee communities and shared recommendations to improve services to immigrant communities. The report highlighted 13 issues including citizenship assistance, business development, education access, discrimination prevention, immigration detention, COVID-19 relief, and language access programs.
State Sen. Dave Syverson, (R-34) said Illinois is the only state that fully covers healthcare for undocumented immigrants aged 42 and older.
“When they’re crossing the border and they realize they have health conditions, they know there is one state to come to when you have health issues," Syverson said.
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