Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday unveiled his 2022 budget proposal, and it contained few surprises and no income-tax increase.
The COVID-19 pandemic was the overriding factor driving the first-term governor’s budget.
Pritzker’s “state of the state” address was prerecorded at a mass-vaccination site in Springfield.
“I had bolder plans for our state budget than what I’m going to present to you today,” he said. “It would be a lie to suggest otherwise.”
Pritzker highlighted his budget priorities but offered few details. As expected, there is no proposed income-tax increase. He seeks to close corporate loopholes to collect an estimated $1 billion.
He asks lawmakers to pass a stand-alone bill that sends $60 million to the state’s beleaguered unemployment agency. It has been swamped by jobless claims amid the pandemic.
Pritzker said he would direct more resources to veterans affairs, human services and the department of public health.
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