Will County Gazette

Illinois state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) has been in stride with fellow Republican lawmakers who have blasted the budget recently passed by Gov. JB Pritzker for its excessive spending.

"This year was a missed opportunity to show the people of the state that their elected officials can indeed work together in their best interests," a May 30 press release from Rezin's office said. "Despite some progress made in negotiations, it became clear that opportunity was washed away when the Majority Party chose their misguided priorities over the priorities of ordinary Illinoisans."

The $50.6 billion budget was recently passed in the Senate and then in the House, where it gained no Republican support. Once it is signed by the governor, it will go into effect July 1.

"While Senate Republicans were pleased to be at the budget negotiating table this year, as they sought to create a state budget that reflects the priorities of their constituents, the budget that passed missed the mark," the release said.

Rezin noted that the fiscal year 2024 budget represents another instance of excessive spending that is not sustainable over the long haul and will be detrimental for taxpayers who will be stuck with the extra costs.

Republicans have had issues with the plan because it has a provision that opens the door to free health care for noncitizen immigrants, the release said. This, the Republicans noted, leaves taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars in additional costs. It also provides approximately $300 million for Democrat-only projects as well as $400 million readily available to the governor.

This budget will be the largest in state history.

Rezin serves in the 38th District after first assuming office in 2010, the General Assembly website said. She sits on the House Committee of the Whole and the Education, Energy and Public Utilities (minority spokesperson), Executive, and Revenue (minority spokesperson) committees; as well as the Subcommittee on Special Issues and the Subcommittee on Interscholastic Athletics and Pensions Committees.