Pritzker’s budget directive has no teeth and he has pulled this stunt often, even as the budget soared. | Courtesy NPR
By Mark Glennon | Wirepoints
Headlines across the state recently claimed Gov. JB ordered 4% budget cuts across the state, thanks to stingy federal budget action. “Gov. Pritzker orders 4% cuts across state agencies, blames federal policies,” said a FOX Chicago headline, for example. Politico even reported that Pritzker issued an order “codifying” his distrust of President Donald Trump’s economic agenda.
“Show me” should be your response. Pritzker in fact ordered no budget cuts and he has pulled this stunt many times before, with no results.
First, you have to go to the operative document Pritzker signed, which is an executive order, and you have to skip past the “Whereas” clauses which are rhetoric with no effect.
You will find that the supposed budget cuts are just aspirational, not mandatory. The order directs state agencies to submit a report outlining progress on their undertaking of a review to identify spending reductions. Agencies are directed to manage State funds and other resources “with a goal to reserve 4 percent” of FY26 General Funds appropriations, but only “To the extent possible, and without compromising essential operations,” the meaning of which isn’t provided. It orders a “pause” in non-essential purchases and expenditures, but there’s no description of what that means or how much would be saved.
That’s it. Nothing firm or binding.
Read on here.
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