Illinois’ budget increased cumulatively more than the maximum rate of population growth plus inflation in state funds and all funds from 2016-25, meaning taxes are higher than the average taxpayer can afford.

  • The 2025 state funds budget is $78.8 billion higher than it would have been had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the state funds budget grew faster than population growth plus inflation for the last ten years, the state spent $361.5 billion too much.
  • The 2025 all funds budget is $84.3 billion higher than it would have been had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the all funds budget grew faster than population growth plus inflation over the past decade, the state spent $405.2 billion too much.

State Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 Only State Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 130.96
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 135.23
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 3.27%
  • Cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 9,160
  • Cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 6,195
  • Cumulative cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 28,421
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 113,683

All Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 All Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 156.80
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 161.92
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 3.3%
  • Cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 12,884
  • Cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 6,624
  • Cumulative cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 31,854
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 127,415

Other Economic and Fiscal Considerations