The $11 Billion Problem Illinois Can’t Fix

Описание: 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.

We Cover:

👉 The "Magic" of Negotiations: How billion-dollar decisions are made behind closed doors in the final hours of the session.

👉 The Structural Deficit: Why Illinois spending consistently grows faster than its economy.

👉 The Business Exodus: The real math companies do when choosing between Illinois and Texas.

👉 The Pension Crisis: Why $11 billion a year is diverted from services to pay for past debts.

👉 Systemic Fraud: How international server farms are exploiting Illinois’ safety net programs.

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.

CHAPTERS
0:00 - The "Endless Appetite" for Spending
0:53 - How the Illinois Budget Actually Works
4:15 - The Big Three: Income, Corporate, and Sales Tax
9:09 - Defining the Structural Deficit
13:41 - The "April Surprise" in Revenue
18:31 - Governor Pritzker’s Role in Negotiations
22:52 - The Ghost of the Progressive Tax
26:38 - Why Businesses Choose Texas Over Illinois
32:39 - The Reform Plan: Spending Caps
38:36 - Pensions: The $11 Billion Weight
44:17 - Fraud, Waste, and "Server Farms"
48:19 - How to Contact Your Legislator

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