Illinois taxpayers have spent $1.6 billion on healthcare programs for illegal immigrants since 2020, according to a state audit requested by GOP legislators. The audit found that the spending far exceeded projections, with state money being used for people who were actually U.S. citizens or eligible for federal programs. The audit also identified errors in the classification of program participants, such as listing legal residents as undocumented. The report recommended seeking federal reimbursement for lost funds.
The audit comes as Governor JB Pritzker proposed cutting funding for programs that offer healthcare coverage to illegal immigrants and legal immigrants under 65 without a green card, aiming to address a budget shortfall. The audit highlights what state Senate Republican leader John Curran called “gross mismanagement” by the governor, who has previously supported universal health coverage.
While Pritzker has expressed the need for healthcare for all, Curran emphasized the financial burden on Illinois taxpayers and the importance of ending free healthcare for the working-age population. Despite their differences, both Pritzker and Chicago’s mayor have resisted Trump administration policies on immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities.
Overall, the audit findings underscore the need for better management and oversight of state healthcare programs, as well as the careful allocation of taxpayer funds to ensure that resources are being used appropriately. It remains to be seen how the state will address the program’s shortcomings and move forward with healthcare coverage for all residents.
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