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Last updated: February 19, 2026

Governor Pritzker’s FY27 Budget Proposal: A Preliminary Review

By: Latino Policy Forum Staff

The following information represents a preliminary review of the proposed FY27 state budget. In the coming weeks, the Latino Policy Forum will conduct a deeper analysis of the Governor’s proposals and their potential impacts.

Welcome Investments:

  • Early Childhood & K-12 Education: $356 million increase for K-12 schools; $55 million increase for child care; $15 million increase for early intervention; funding for fourth year of Teacher Vacancy Grants
  • Higher Education: Level funding for MAP grants, Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois (DFI) program, and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity scholarships
  • Housing: $250 million for BUILD initiative to support affordable housing options for working families in the “missing middle”
  • Immigration: Level funding for Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) program

Critical Shortfalls:

  • Higher Education: Only 1% funding increase (down from 3%); continued withholding of 2% of already appropriated FY2026 funds; no support for Adequate and Equitable Funding (AEF) formula
  • Immigration: $10 million cut to Access to Justice program; $15 million cut to program for survivors of trafficking and torture; $2 million decrease to Immigrant Integration Services; $2.4 million decrease to Welcoming Centers
  • Housing: $10 million decrease to HOME Illinois, primarily impacting shelter and service funding
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