North Cook News

James Stinson, Committeeman of the Republicans of Maine Township, reacted to the projected deficits for the 2026 fiscal year. He said, "Illinoisans deserve leaders who solve problems, not hide behind financial tricks that only make things worse."

"Governor J.B. Pritzker has misled Illinoisans, claiming a balanced budget while leaving the state with mounting deficits," said Stinson. "Instead of real fiscal reform, he relied on temporary COVID bailout funds, now exhausted. His promises of property tax relief through a millionaire surcharge were empty, as the deficits make such relief unlikely. Illinoisans deserve leaders who solve problems, not hide behind financial tricks that only make things worse."

In June, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a $53.1 billion spending plan for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. According to Capitol News Illinois, this budget is considered the largest in state history. When he signed the budget, Pritzker described it as a "demonstration of ‘fiscal responsibility." He noted that $198 million would be added to the state’s rainy-day fund, bringing it to a record $2.2 billion. The budget will also make full payments into the state’s pension system and includes a tax credit for low-income families and higher wages for individuals who work with disabled people.

Capitol News Illinois reported that the tax credit for families will cost the state $50 million. The spending plan also allocates $811 million for healthcare, shelter, and other services for recently arrived migrants. It took legislators multiple attempts to pass the revenue bill, with warnings of an impending fiscal cliff from Representative Fred Crespo, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates; Crespo ultimately voted against the bill.

The administration denies issues related to population decline in Illinois. Despite data indicating otherwise, Deputy Governor Andy Manar said during a panel discussion with the Better Government Association that "there has never been more people living in the state of Illinois than there is today." According to an Oct. 19 report from The Center Square, Manar emphasized that Illinois is gaining population based on corrections from the Census Bureau's Post Enumeration Survey.

Stinson was first elected as Chairman of the Republicans of Maine Township in 2022. According to their website, he is focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing party membership, and communicating party positions on issues important to Maine Township voters.