The Illinois Senate approved a $53.1 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which includes tax increases, elimination of the grocery tax, a new child tax credit, and funding for migrant and healthcare programs. Critics argue it prioritizes noncitizens and increases spending, while supporters highlight relief measures and investments in education and technology. The House will vote on the budget next.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed disappointment after his trip to Washington to lobby for migrant funding and immigration policies, stating that he did not leave with any optimism for immediate help. Despite meeting with key officials, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Adams did not receive commitments for federal reimbursements or a plan to address the influx of asylum-seekers in New York. The city is grappling with the cost of the crisis, which Adams predicts will amount to $12 billion over three years. While negotiations for a supplemental budget package are ongoing, Adams' approval ratings have plummeted, and he blames the federal government's lack of support for exacerbating the city's problems.
