Gov. JB Pritzker's administration on Thursday announced it has identified nearly $500 million it will keep in budget reserves following the governor's request last year that state agencies identify 4% of their budgets to hold back amid federal budget uncertainty. While the trims affect the current budget year, they come as Illinois lawmakers returned to the Capitol this month with a charge to plug a projected shortfall of more than $2 billion in the budget for next fiscal year, which starts this summer.
The Governor's Office of Management and Budget outlook for next fiscal year “has not changed significantly since last fall,” Alexis Sturm, director of the office, wrote Thursday in a letter to Cabinet directors provided by the governor's office. Most agencies will likely not see their full funding requests satisfied for next year, Sturm wrote, adding that prioritizing and limiting hiring and other costs associated with government operations “will be key.” Reserves in the Department of Human Services will come from hiring lags, reducing overtime and “reduced grants due to lower than expected caseloads,” according to the budget document.
“Savings were achieved through administrative efficiencies, staffing adjustments, lower-than-expected caseloads and cost controls, reflecting responsible fiscal management without reducing essential services,” a press release from the governor's office said. “No funding for pensions or K-12 education was impacted.” Alternative viewpoints and findings: Visit website
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