Illinois Gov. Pritzker to deliver state of the state budget address on Wednesday

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is set to unveil his 2026 budget proposal at the annual State of the State budget address on Wednesday.

Pritzker is set to speak at 12 p.m. and the speech will be carried in the player above.

With the state facing a projected $3.2 billion deficit from the upcoming fiscal year, the Governor heads into the annual address with a 50% approval rating, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.

While the state has seen its tax revenues increase in recent years, the Illinois Office of Management and Budget anticipates a flat rate of revenue for 2026, at $53 billion. In its report the OMB expected that the increased costs of healthcare and pension payments will account for nearly half of the projected deficit.

According to the Associated Press, Pritzker is expected to endorse “screen-free schools,” effectively banning personal cellphones and wireless devices in classrooms.

Republican and Democratic legislators are expected to offer reactions to the address later this afternoon.