CHICAGO (WTVO) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at easing what he described as “Trump’s disastrous economic policies.”
The order instructs state agencies to set aside up to 4% of fiscal year 2026 general fund appropriations as reserve dollars.
“Illinois has built a strong economy and proven its fiscal responsibility, but Trump’s disastrous policies threaten to undo that progress,” Pritzker said in a release. “Trump and Congressional Republicans sealed one of the largest wealth transfers in American history, stripping health care, food assistance, and other essential supports for working families to fund permanent tax breaks for the wealthy.”
Pritzker added that Trump’s tariffs are hurting farmers and businesses, slowing job growth, and driving up costs for Illinois families.
“I’m taking executive action to mitigate the impact of Trump’s economic policies on our state finances, maintain critical services, and preserve our economic stability,” he said.
According to Pritzker’s office, Illinois’ $13.7 billion agriculture industry is being hit hard by tariff-driven trade disruptions, costing farmers income and threatening jobs in rural communities.
Cuts to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage could take health care access away from an estimated 330,000 Illinoisans, raise premiums for those insured, and risk hospital closures in rural areas, the governor’s office said.
In addition, reductions in SNAP and other benefits will shift costs directly onto states and could leave an estimated 360,000 Illinois families without support as costs continue to rise.
Pritzker said Illinois lost 13,300 payroll jobs in August — the state’s largest monthly decline since July 2023 and the fifth overall drop this year — with “employers squeezed by tariffs and Trump’s anti-immigrant policies restricting access to needed workers, leaving businesses unable to hire, expand, or keep pace with demand.”
The governor also criticized Trump’s economic policies as reckless, warning that Trump’s spending plan could eventually put core services in Illinois at risk.
Pritzker’s plan at a glance:
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Conduct immediate budget reviews to identify efficiencies and reductions.
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Identify up to 4% of General Funds appropriations for FY26 reserves to reinforce state finances.
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Limit non-essential spending, purchases, and travel.
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Review all hiring decisions and prioritize only essential roles.
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Propose programmatic changes or appropriation transfers if FY26 budget shortfalls emerge.
The state says key obligations such as pension payments and K-12 funding, and offices outside the governor’s authority (legislative, judicial, and other constitutional offices) will not be impacted.
Pritzker also highlighted ongoing engagement with international leaders, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, the Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., and the Consul General of Mexico in Chicago.
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