June 26, 2026
Representative Spain voted NO on largest-in-history FY 27 State Budget
Just after 4:00 a.m. on the last night of session, Illinois Democrats pushed through a staggering $55.9 billion state budget, the largest in state history, propped up by more than $800 million in new tax hikes.
That is why Representative Ryan Spain voted NO on HB 111 and SB 3019, the Democrats’ bloated budget and tax hike package.
“I opposed this year’s largest-in-history state budget, which only provided pennies in relief while delivering undeserved pay raises for politicians worth thousands. This budget continues funding for misplaced priorities like healthcare for illegal immigrants and it punts fixing downstate road fund raids until summer,” said Deputy Republican Leader Ryan Spain, a House Republican Budgeteer.
At a time when Illinois families are struggling with rising costs, Democrats chose to hike taxes and make life more expensive. Rather than tackling the issues keeping families up at night, they delivered more spending, more taxes, and more government.
The FY 27 new state budget was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on June 16, 2026, enacting the largest spending plan in Illinois history.
Rep. Ryan Spain working to lower energy costs
Energy Bills are already too high. That’s why State Representative Ryan Spain voted against Illinois Democrats’ wasteful $8 billion “green energy giveaway.” (SB 25)
The bill forces utilities to spend billions on unproven battery storage technology for wind and solar projects and sticks ratepayers with the tab. Illinois families simply cannot afford it.
All-of-the-Above Energy Approach
Ryan Spain supports an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy generation. He supports lifting Illinois’ outdated nuclear moratorium (HB 1079– 103 GA, SB 76-103 GA), clearing the way for modern, safe, next-generation plants to be built right here in Illinois. Instead of shutting down natural gas and coal power plants, Spain wants to open the energy floodgates (HB 5537, HB 5538) to keep Illinois powered forward.
Relief at the Pump
Ryan Spain is Chief Sponsor of legislation to provide a six-month sales tax holiday on gasoline (HB 5738), for immediate relief at the pump.
Local Control & Downstate Funding Matter
While Illinois Democrats voted to take control away from local communities, Spain supports legislation (HB 1201) to restore county and municipal authority where wind and solar projects can be located. Spain also supports restoring Downstate Road & Bridge Funding taken in Illinois Democrats’ Bailout of Chicago Mass Transit last Fall (HB 5763). Downstate energy taxes should not be taken for Chicago’s Mass Transit problems.
Making Illinois Energy Independent
Bad policy has turned Illinois into an energy importer, driving up energy costs, risking reliability for residents and job creators, and shipping good-paying energy sector jobs elsewhere. Ryan Spain is fighting to make Illinois an energy leader again, producing our own affordable, reliable power right here at home.
73rd District Communities granted OSFM Small Equipment funding
Deputy House Republican Leader Ryan Spain shared the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s announcement on Thursday of seven communities in the 73rd District receiving Small Equipment Grant awards.
A total of $6 million was awarded to 260 fire departments/ districts and EMS providers across the state. The Small Equipment Grant program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.
73rd District Communities receiving funding in the June 4 announcement included:
Cherry Fire Protection District– $25,700 (Bureau County)
Dunlap Community Fire Protection District– $21,980 (Peoria County)
Rapids City Fire Protection District– $9,035 (Rock Island County)
City of East Moline– $26,000 (Rock Island County)
Prophetstown Fire Protection District– $26,000 (Whiteside County)
Germantown Hills Fire Protection District– $26,000 (Woodford County)
Village of Metamora– $12,790 (Woodford County)
Most Illinois fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments, and stand-alone, nonprofit ambulance service providers were eligible to apply if they fall under program requirements. This program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for departments and ambulance services. The purpose is to allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small equipment they may not otherwise be able to purchase.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
