Illinois House Republicans are calling on the governor’s office to release a report on proposed spending cuts by state agencies. 

Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order Sept. 23 instructing state agencies to find up to 4 percent in budget cuts. The goal, Pritzker said at the time, was to be proactive as the state anticipates federal actions could throw the state budget out of balance.  

Read more: Pritzker instructs state agencies to find up to 4 percent in spending cuts 

An October report from the governor’s budget office found that changes to tax laws at the federal level could create a $267 million shortfall this year. The General Assembly took action during the fall veto session to decouple from many of these tax changes, but a potential deficit still looms.   

The report detailing proposed cuts was due to be submitted to the governor’s office 30 days later on Oct. 23 but has not yet been made available to the public.  

Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) said House Republicans have also not been made privy to the report's findings. She called on the governor’s office to be more transparent about the deliberations.  

“Their government should be transparent about the work they are doing for them, not hiding behind political theater and press releases,” Elik said.  

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget is $55.2 billion, backed by $55.3 billion in anticipated revenue. The slim margin leaves little room for error.  

State revenue is up $474 million year-over-year, according to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Increases are largely driven by sales tax, wagering-related sources and federal sources. Personal and corporate income taxes have decreased so far this year.   

Read more: State revenues hold steady in October but pensions raise concerns about Illinois’ long-term finances 

Illinois has received ten credit upgrades since 2021, with agencies acknowledging the state’s improved financial standing since the two-year budget impasse from 2015-2017. But Illinois still ranks among the lower states with credit agencies, and concerns about small budget surpluses have contributed to the state not receiving higher ratings.   

Elik said while revenue has increased, the state should be ready for anything. She said she was happy to see the governor’s office pursuing efficiencies in state agencies but said the report should be reviewed by the public.  

Rep. Regan Deering (R-Decatur) added that action is needed because of federal funding cuts and noted this year’s budget is the largest in state history.  

Still, Elik criticized the bill to decouple Illinois from federal tax changes, which were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed July 4 

Read more: Illinois General Assembly sends medical aid in dying, federal tax decoupling, Clean Slate Act to governor's desk 

She said the One Big Beautiful Bill, which included changes to how businesses deduct assets, was intended to help businesses grow in the country.  

“Anytime we decouple, we become an outlier,” Elik said. “We become the state that is immediately known for not being friendly to business, and we can just expect that companies will be looking elsewhere.”