Chambana Sun

Chapin Rose, a state senator, said that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has increased state spending by $15 billion during his tenure. This assertion was made during an interview.

"Six years, J.B. Pritzker has been governor," said Rose, according to YouTube. "He's raised the spending in this state by $15 billion dollars. Nobody put a gun to his head. Donald Trump didn't make him do it."

In June 2025, the Illinois General Assembly approved a $55.2 billion budget, the largest in the state's history. The budget includes over $1 billion in new revenue measures targeting sports betting, nicotine products, and businesses. According to WTTW News, Democratic leaders claimed that these tax increases would not affect average taxpayers. In contrast, Republicans criticized both the rapid passage of the budget and its overall size. Governor Pritzker defended the budget as balanced and consistent with his priorities in education, healthcare, and economic growth.

Since taking office in 2019, Governor Pritzker has overseen an increase in Illinois' state spending from $40.3 billion to $53.2 billion by fiscal year 2025—a 32% rise. As reported by the Illinois Policy Institute, this increase exceeds the national inflation rate of 23% over the same period and represents the largest dollar growth among recent Illinois governors.

Illinois’ state and local government spending has grown at an average annual rate of 4.5% over the past two decades, aligning with national trends. A report by the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs indicates that the state's per capita expenditure levels now closely mirror the national average. The study attributes this alignment to demographics, policy choices, and resident preferences.

Chapin Rose is a Republican state senator representing Illinois’ 51st District since 2013 after serving in the Illinois House from 2003 to 2013. According to his official Senate biography, he is the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee and focuses on policies promoting agriculture, rural development, and conservative budgeting. Rose is known for advocating transparent and fiscally disciplined governance.