Chambana Sun

In a recent Facebook post, state Rep. Chris Miller (R-Robinson) expressed his dissatisfaction with the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget released by Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats.

Miller criticized the lack of Republican involvement in the budget process and highlighted what he perceived as excessive spending without sufficient revenue.

"I issued the following statement today on the FY24 Illinois state budget:" he said in the May 27 post. "Finally, after they failed to have a budget passed before their own self-imposed deadline last week, JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats have released their budget. We were completely shut out from the process, and it’s ridiculous that taxpayers and residents of this state have to deal with this year-after-year. There’s more spending with less money, and we wonder why people are fleeing Illinois. Illinoisans deserve much better."

A WAND report said that Senate Democrats passed the budget on May 25 and sent it to the House of Representatives for their passage and discussion. Although Democrats hold the majority in the Senate, the report noted that there was Republican input into the budget negotiation process, which Republican legislators appreciated.

Pritzker responded to the budget's release with a statement quoted by ABC 7 on May 26.

"This budget makes transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois while building on our record of fiscal responsibility," the governor said in the statement. "I look forward to the House taking up this budget that will make child care and education more accessible, healthcare more affordable, and our state's business and economic position even stronger."

The proposed budget, released in February, highlighted significant improvements in Illinois' financial situation. Those improvements included the elimination of a backlog of bills, a $1.9 billion Rainy Day Fund balance, and substantial reductions in pension liabilities—resulting in $4 billion in savings. That budget proposal amounted to $49.6 billion and focused on key areas such as education, health care and economic development.

In his May 20 Weekly Newsletter update, Miller shared some concerns and criticisms regarding the budget. He mentioned the fifth consecutive legislator pay increase in five years and expressed opposition to funding noncitizen health care costs. Miller also raised questions about additional funding for services benefiting migrants who arrived in Illinois. Additionally, he alleged that Democratic members would receive significant sums of money for member-initiative projects.

Miller, a third-generation cattle farmer, has been serving as a state representative since January 2019, his General Assembly biography said. Following redistricting in 2020, he now represents the 101st House District. Miller graduated from Eureka College with a Bachelor of Science in education. He also has an associate degree in agriculture from Lakeland College.