SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed the fiscal year 2021 operating budget.
The budget spends $42.9 billion.
Of that, $38 billion comes from the general fund. This is approximately $4 billion lower than had been projected pre-COVID-19.
Highlights include the $8.9 billion going toward pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. $1.9 billion has been budgeted for higher education.
$7.08 billion was allotted to human service agencies, such as the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Human Services, and the Chicago Veterans Home.
$1.9 billion was put towards criminal justice and public safety. The budget will afford the Illinois State Police one cadet class, down from a proposed three classes.
Capital investments, transportation, Medicaid, the fall’s general elections, and a COVID-19 Relief Fund were also built into the budget.
