The "Endless Appetite": How Illinois Spends Your Money

About this episode

This episode discusses Illinois' spending issues and the implications of the state budget with guest Tom Demmer.

There is an "endless appetite" for spending in Springfield, but who is actually paying the bill? Former Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer pulls back the curtain on the chaotic, high-stakes game of the Illinois state budget on the latest episode of the Illinois Policy Podcast. As Governor Pritzker prepares his annual budget address, Illinois faces a potential structural deficit. Despite failed attempts at a progressive income tax, state spending continues to rise, driven by pension liabilities and Medicaid expansion. This episode analyzes the General Revenue Fund (GRF), the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) projections, and the economic impact of having the nation's highest corporate tax rates. We discuss the need for a spending cap, the reality of outmigration, and fiscal reforms needed to stabilize the Illinois economy.

People in this episode

Host: Illinois Policy

Guest: Tom Demmer

Topics covered

• Illinois state budget
• spending
• pension liabilities
• Medicaid expansion
• economic impact
• fiscal reforms

Keywords

• Illinois budget
• structural deficit
• progressive income tax
• General Revenue Fund
• corporate tax rates
• spending cap
• outmigration

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Illinois Policy, Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Governor Pritzker

Places: Illinois