SPRINGFIELD, IL- A new report from the Auditor General exposes severe mismanagement in Governor Pritzker’s taxpayer-funded healthcare program for illegal immigrants, revealing thousands of potentially ineligible enrollees and massive cost overruns that far exceed initial projections. Senator Chris Balkema (R- Channahon) is calling out the audit’s findings, demanding accountability and stronger oversight to prevent further waste of taxpayer dollars.
“This audit confirms that the program is out of control, riddled with mismanagement, and costing Illinois taxpayers far more than they were told,” said Senator Balkema. “We’re talking about hundreds of millions of dollars funneled into a broken system while Illinois families struggle to afford groceries, gas, and healthcare. This level of fiscal irresponsibility is completely unacceptable.”
The audit revealed that more than 6,000 enrollees classified as “undocumented” had Social Security Numbers, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the enrollment process and the state’s failure to properly verify eligibility. This lack of oversight not only erodes public trust but forces taxpayers to foot the bill for the administration’s failure to manage the program responsibly.
The financial mismanagement doesn’t stop there. The audit also found that spending on some age groups ran nearly 300% over budget. The most extreme overrun came in the 42-54 age group, where costs surged to nearly triple the projected amount. These massive miscalculations expose a complete failure of fiscal planning, once again leaving taxpayers on the hook.
For years, Republicans have sounded the alarm on Governor Pritzker’s reckless spending on illegal immigrants while hardworking Illinois families grapple with skyrocketing property taxes and out-of-control living costs. Instead of prioritizing those who play by the rules, Democrats have poured taxpayer dollars into a program plagued by waste, fraud, and a disturbing lack of transparency.
The audit’s findings reinforce the urgent need for accountability. Senate Bill 1699, sponsored by Senator Balkema, would require detailed annual reports on a range of taxpayer-funded programs benefiting migrants and illegal immigrants, not just healthcare, but also housing, legal aid, and other services. The reports would include total expenditures, specific appropriations, the number of recipients, funding sources, and awarded contracts. To ensure full transparency, this information would be made publicly available online.
“This is about fairness and fiscal responsibility,” Balkema added. “Illinoisans deserve to know where their tax dollars are going. This audit proves the system is broken, and I will help drive the reforms needed to protect taxpayers and put working families first.”