What's all in Gov. Pritzker's $49.6 billion budget proposal?

Days after his budget speech, Gov. JB Pritzker caused a stir in the state by pitching his proposal for the next fiscal year.

The governor’s statements, including in Springfield on Thursday, centered on his plans to expand preschool access throughout Illinois.

Smart Start Illinois’ plans are most focused on adding 5,000 slots this year, with the goal of providing every 3- and 4-year-old with access to preschool by 2027. It is considering expanding childcare facilities and raising wages for its employees.

recently:Springfield 186th district lawmakers hope Pritzker’s pre-kindergarten plan expands access

Democrats, who hold overwhelming majorities in both houses of the Illinois legislature, have voiced their support. The state legislature will reconvene on Tuesday after President’s Day to prepare the state budget for the remainder of the spring session.

But Smart Start is only part of our $49.6 billion budget for fiscal 2024. Here are his three other areas funded by Pritzker’s proposal:

Money for DCFS adoption

Heading into the 2022 election, the Department of Children and Family Services has come under considerable scrutiny from Republicans for deaths that occurred in Republican care.

Failed Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey said the governor should fire DCFS director Mark Smith, who kept his position in Pritzker’s second term. Arrested 12 times for contempt of court for not receiving proper care.

Overall, the DCFS budget jumped to over $2 billion. This represents a 65% increase in annual funding for the division since fiscal year 2019.

Much of the funding will go toward hiring approximately 200 new department staff and a $41 million increase for a major rollout of a comprehensive child welfare information system. CCWIS replaces the previous case management system for “efficient and rapid case processing,” according to the governor’s Office of Management and Budget.

The proposal also includes $10 million to help DCFS frontline workers “acquire and train” on pepper spray use. That’s it. The bill was introduced by Springfield Republican Senator Steve McClure and former state representative Sandy Hamilton.

RelatedIllinois legislators push to allow DCFS workers to carry pepper spray

The bill follows the death of Springfield DCFS agent Deidre Silas, who died while checking the welfare of six children at Thayer’s home. Benjamin Reed, 32, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death.

broadband financing

Local business and community leaders recently met in Springfield to discuss the need to expand broadband access in the city and Sangamon County.

Related:Why Thousands Without Broadband Access in Central Illinois Matter

The consensus of the forum speakers was that broadband has become essential for students and parents, especially since COVID-19. Federal and state funding has increased in recent years, but thousands of people in the county still do not have access.

The governor’s proposal will continue state investment and direct $25 million to the Department of Innovation and Technology. The state’s IT agency will direct these funds to the Illinois Century Network for the purpose of providing broadband and internet access to all public K-12 schools.

Increased Medicaid funding

Enhanced Medicaid benefits, which the federal government has increased funding for state programs during COVID-19, are expected to taper off in March.

State-only federal games are currently at 6.2 percentage points and will be phased out by the end of the year, according to the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services.

IDHFS manages the state’s Medicaid program, and Pritzker’s proposal will bring in $37.2 billion this year. This is largely due to a reduction in the extended federal Medicaid match, which increases him by $709 million from last year’s budget.

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