A new report from the Auditor General has revealed significant mismanagement in Governor JB Pritzker’s taxpayer-funded healthcare program for illegal immigrants, including thousands of potentially ineligible enrollees and costs far exceeding the Governor’s projections.

Senate Republicans are calling for stronger oversight and accountability to prevent further waste and protect taxpayers.

Auditors found more than 6,000 enrollees listed as “undocumented” who actually had Social Security Numbers, raising concerns about the state’s failure to properly verify eligibility. This lack of oversight undermines public trust and forces taxpayers to cover the costs of the Administration’s mismanagement.

The audit also uncovered massive cost overruns, with some age groups seeing expenditures nearly 300% higher than originally projected. The most extreme overrun occurred in the 42-54 age group, where costs nearly tripled the budgeted amount. These budget failures highlight a significant lapse in fiscal planning, burdening Illinois taxpayers with the excess.

Republicans have long criticized Governor Pritzker’s decision to prioritize spending on illegal immigrants while Illinois families face rising property taxes, grocery bills, and healthcare costs. This program, marked by waste and mismanagement, has fueled further distrust in how taxpayer dollars are spent.

The audit’s findings have prompted renewed calls for legislative action to bring much-needed transparency so taxpayers can see where their money is going. Senate Bill 1699 would require detailed annual reports on all taxpayer-funded programs for migrants, including healthcare, housing, legal aid, and other services. These reports would provide transparency on expenditures, appropriations, recipients, and contracts, and would be made publicly available online.

Senate Republicans are committed to fighting for reforms that prioritize fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability to protect Illinois taxpayers.