Illinois Passes $56 Billion Budget as Bears Deal Stalled

Summary

Illinois passed a record $56 billion budget for fiscal 2027, avoiding another impasse. The budget targets health-care and housing costs while preparing for federal funding cuts. Separately, the Chicago Bears stadium deal remained stalled as state lawmakers failed to pass conflicting bills.

• Illinois passed a nearly $56 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.
• The budget aims to ease higher health-care and housing costs.
• The state is bracing for potential federal funding cuts.
• Governor JB Pritzker has passed budgets on time since taking office in 2019.
• The budget was approved on the deadline overnight into Monday morning.
• The Chicago Bears are still undecided on their next stadium location.
• The Illinois House and Senate passed competing bills on the Bears stadium but did not reconcile them.
• The Bears expect to decide on a site later this summer.