Following GOP criticism, Pritzker finds $481.6 million in budget reserves

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget says it has identified more than $480 million of budget reserves from state agencies amid economic uncertainty that Gov. J.B. Pritzker says is driven by President Donald Trump’s administration.

The GOMB statement follows comments by state Rep. Amy Elik, R-Alton, regarding Pritzker’s order from Sept. 23, directing state agencies to find up to 4% in reserves.

“We were hopeful last fall with the governor’s executive order that would force state agencies to identify waste or redundancies within their agency. Instead, when we sought answers about their work through a [Freedom of Information Act] request, that request was denied,” Elik said during a press conference at the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday morning.

According to a statement from the governor’s office, the GOMB list released Thursday reflects $481.6 million in fiscal year 2026 general funds reserves across multiple areas of state government.

The reserves breakdown includes $361.5 million in health care and human services, $57.2 million in government services, $30.5 million in higher education, $22.1 million in public safety and $10.3 million in economic development, environment and culture.

The statement says savings were achieved through administrative efficiencies, staffing adjustments, lower-than-expected caseloads and cost controls.

According to the governor’s office, no funding for pensions or K–12 education was impacted.