Month: June 2026

AFP-Illinois Applauds Passage of HB 5524 to Improve Energy Cost Transparency

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Americans for Prosperity–Illinois (AFP-IL) today welcomed the Illinois General Assembly’s passage of HB 5524, legislation aimed at improving transparency in energy utility costs for consumers across the state. 

AFP-IL emphasized that greater transparency is a critical step toward helping families and businesses better understand — and ultimately push back against — rising energy costs. 

AFP-IL appreciates Rep. Severin and Sen. Bryant for shepherding this legislation through the General Assembly. 

AFP-IL Deputy State Director Brian Costin issued the following statement: 

“Illinois families and small businesses deserve clear, honest information about what they’re paying for energy and why those costs continue to rise. HB 5524 improves transparency and gives consumers the tools they need to make more informed decisions. 

“For too long, complicated billing structures and hidden cost drivers have made it difficult for ratepayers to fully understand their energy bills. Increasing transparency is an important first step toward accountability. 

“That said, transparency alone won’t solve Illinois’ energy affordability challenges. Lawmakers must build on this progress by addressing the policies and mandates that are driving costs higher in the first place. 

“AFP-Illinois will continue working with policymakers to advance solutions that promote competition, reliability, and affordability — and ensure Illinois families are no longer left footing the bill for costly energy policies.” 

AFP-IL noted that while HB 5524 represents meaningful progress, additional reforms will be necessary to rein in rising energy costs and create a more competitive, consumer-focused energy market in Illinois. 

AFP-IL Slams Record-Breaking State Budget, Middle-of-the-night Legislating as Reckless

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Americans for Prosperity–Illinois (AFP-IL) today criticized the Illinois Democrats’ passage of the FY 2027 state budget — the largest in Illinois history — warning that continued overspending and tax hikes will further strain families and weaken the state’s economic outlook. The budget was one of the many bills the General Assembly attempted to pass in the 11th hour before the end of session. 

The budget continues a troubling trend of higher spending paired with increased tax burdens under Gov. J.B. Pritzker. This marks Pritzker’s eighth budget — and the eighth straight budget that relies on tax increases. The bills passed in the middle of the night of the last day of the session is an admission that state leaders have failed to control spending or prioritize taxpayers. 

AFP-IL State Director Jason Heffley issued the following statement: 

“This record-breaking budget is yet another example of Springfield Democrats doubling down on the same failed formula: spend more, tax more, and expect different results. Illinois families are already struggling with high costs and nation-leading tax burdens, yet lawmakers have chosen to make their situation worse. And yet, Democrats decided to pass this and other reckless spending bills in the middle of the night without proper vetting. 

“This budget provides no relief for Illinoisians. Instead of tightening their belts like working families across Illinois have had to do, politicians in Springfield continue to grow government at a rapid pace while sending the bill to taxpayers. The result is a less competitive economy, fewer opportunities for job creation and more families leaving the state. 

“Illinois doesn’t have a revenue problem — it has a spending problem. Until Democrat lawmakers address the root cause by reining in spending and adopting structural reforms, taxpayers will continue to be asked to pay more while getting less in return.” 

The continued pattern of budget growth and tax increases further undermines Illinois’ long-term fiscal stability while making it harder for residents to afford everyday expenses. The General Assembly and Gov. Pritzker should focus on structural reforms — including spending restraint, greater transparency, and pro-growth economic policies — to put the state on a more sustainable path. 

BACKGROUND 

According to NASBO State Expenditure Reports, Illinois had the largest percentage increase in total state expenditures of any state during the Pritzker administration, rising from $71.8B in FY2019 to an estimated $152.1B in FY2025, a 112% increase. 

Using NASBO FY2019 actual to FY2025 estimated: 

State  FY2019 total  FY2025 total  Growth  Rank 
Illinois  $71.842B  $152.066B  +111.7%  #1 
Arizona  $38.691B  $73.565B  +90.1%  #2 
Minnesota  $40.844B  $72.110B  +76.5%  #3 
Tennessee  $33.826B  $58.732B  +73.6%  #4 
Utah  $16.601B  $28.493B  +71.6%  #5 

Total state expenditures for all states grew from roughly $2.06 trillion in FY2019 to $3.21 trillion in estimated FY2025, or about +56% nationally. 

This increase in spending has been partially enabled by the 57 tax increases on the people of Illinois, bringing in $77 billion in new revenue.  

AFP-IL Statement on Megaproject Bill Failure

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Americans for Prosperity–Illinois (AFP-IL) today responded to the Illinois General Assembly’s failure to pass megaproject legislation before the end of session, highlighting the defeat of harmful provisions that would have put property taxpayers at risk.  

The General Assembly did not rush through a late-night stadium deal that was not fully vetted and carried significant risk for taxpayers. But more work remains to be done to provide tax certainty to Illinoisians. 

AFP-IL Deputy State Director Brian Costin issued the following statement: 

“While AFP-Illinois is encouraged that the most dangerous provisions in this megaproject proposal (HB 910) — which would have exposed property taxpayers to significant financial risk — ultimately failed to advance, lawmakers have more work to do to provide certainty for taxpayers. 

“The last-minute replacement Municipal Stadium Authority bill, HB 958, was narrower than the megaproject bill, but if it had passed, it still could have exposed Cook County taxpayers to billions of dollars in long-term risk. 

“AFP-IL appreciates the work of legislative leaders in both chambers who engaged seriously on this issue and worked to incorporate AFP-backed language that would have delivered real protections, including potential property tax relief and long-term tax certainty for communities like Arlington Heights. That effort showed there is a better path forward — one that puts taxpayers first. 

“AFP-Illinois has been proud to serve as a voice for taxpayers throughout this debate — not just opposing bad policy, but offering real, workable solutions that protect families and promote responsible growth. Moving forward, lawmakers should build on that work by advancing policies that deliver lasting tax certainty and relief for all Illinoisans — not just in isolated projects, but across the board.” 

AFP-IL reiterated its commitment to working with policymakers to advance fiscally responsible reforms that protect taxpayers, promote transparency, and strengthen Illinois’ long-term economic outlook.