Rock Island Today

Representative Ryan Spain addressed the financial challenges facing Illinois in a Facebook post dated November 13. He criticized Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Democratic supermajority for their handling of state finances, stating, "Illinois is facing a $3 billion budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year because the Governor and supermajority Democrats have spent taxpayer dollars recklessly."

"Illinois is facing a $3 billion budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year because the Governor and supermajority Democrats have spent taxpayer dollars recklessly," said Ryan Michael Spain, State Representative for 73th District (R), according to Facebook. "Despite this reality and the fact that voters called for change in a resounding way following last week's election, the Governor and Democrats refuse to listen. Gov. Pritzker needs to drop the gubernatorial Macho Man routine and work with Republicans to address reducing energy prices, solving our migrant crisis, and delivering the tax relief that Illinoisans need."

According to Spain's Facebook post, he shared a video message directed at Governor Pritzker. In this video, Spain expressed his concerns about the governor's recent statements. "…based on the comments from Governor Pritzker last week, clearly the wrong lessons have been learned," he said. He recalled an incident where Pritzker allegedly referred to Republicans as "carnival barkers and doom grifters" and criticized the governor's stance on federal assistance from former President Donald Trump.

Screenshot of State Rep. Ryan Spain's Nov. 13 Facebook post | State Representative Ryan Spain's Facebook page

The budget shortfall mentioned by Spain is projected in the Illinois Economic and Fiscal Policy Report, which forecasts a deficit for fiscal year 2026. This report, published by the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) on November 1, outlines Illinois' long-term economic and fiscal policy intentions through 2025 and beyond.

The report highlights that while individual income taxes and investment income have surpassed expectations for fiscal year 2025, resulting in a $569 million increase in revenue forecasts, expenditures are still anticipated to exceed revenues by $3.173 billion in fiscal year 2026.

Spain has represented Illinois' 73rd House District since 2017. A lifelong resident of Peoria, he holds degrees in political science and speech communication from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from Bradley University. His public service includes serving on the Peoria City Council from 2007 until late 2016.