Pritzker says $481.6 million put in reserves, GOP questions state spending

(The Center Square) – One day after an Illinois state representative said there was no budget transparency from J.B. Pritzker’s office, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget said it identified $481.6 million in reserves.

The governor issued an executive order last September directing state agencies to reserve up to 4% of their general fund appropriations.

State Rep. Amy Elik, R-Alton, said during a press conference at the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday that Republicans were shut out of budget discussions and their requests for agency spending were denied.

“When one party controls the process with no input from others, the result is bloated budgets, no transparency and a growing lack of trust in government,” Elik said.

On Thursday, Pritzker’s office released the GOMB list with reserves across several areas of government.

The reserves’ breakdown for fiscal year 2026 includes $361.5 million in health care and human services, $57.2 million in governme...