SPRINGFIELD – A new report from the Auditor General confirms significant mismanagement in Governor Pritzker’s taxpayer-funded healthcare program for illegal immigrants, revealing thousands of potentially ineligible enrollees and costs far exceeding initial projections. State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is highlighting the audit’s findings, calling for accountability and stronger oversight to prevent further waste and protect taxpayers.

“The findings of this audit are a clear indictment of the Governor’s failure to responsibly manage taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Bryant “While hardworking Illinoisans face rising costs and challenges, Governor Pritzker has allowed hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to be wasted on a program that fails to properly verify eligibility and continues to exceed budget projections. Illinoisans deserve accountability and true transparency in how their state government is spending their hard-earned tax dollars.”

Auditors found that more than 6,000 enrollees classified as “undocumented” actually had Social Security Numbers, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the enrollment process and the state’s failure to properly verify eligibility. This lack of oversight not only erodes public trust but also forces taxpayers to cover the state’s failure to manage Pritzker’s program responsibly. Senator Bryant argues that Illinoisans deserve transparency and accountability—not more bureaucratic incompetence.

The audit also exposed massive cost overruns, with spending on some age groups running nearly 300% over budget. The most extreme overrun came in the 42-54 age group, where costs surged to nearly triple what was projected. These staggering miscalculations highlight a complete failure of fiscal planning, forcing taxpayers to cover the shortfall.

Republicans have long criticized Governor Pritzker’s decision to spend massive sums on illegal aliens while Illinois families struggle with skyrocketing property taxes, grocery bills, and healthcare costs. Instead of prioritizing hardworking citizens, Democrats have funneled taxpayer dollars into a program riddled with waste, mismanagement, and a lack of transparency.

The audit’s findings have renewed calls for accountability. Senate Bill 1699, sponsored by Senator Bryant, requires detailed annual reports on a range of taxpayer-funded programs for migrants and illegal aliens—not just healthcare, but also housing, legal aid, and other services. The reports would include total expenditures, specific appropriations, the number of recipients, funding sources, and awarded contracts. To ensure transparency and prevent further misuse of taxpayer dollars, this information would be made publicly available online.

Illinois taxpayers deserve transparency and fiscal responsibility. This audit confirms that mismanagement in Pritzker’s program has resulted in massive cost overruns and wasted taxpayer dollars. With accountability long overdue, Senator Bryant will continue fighting for reforms that put hardworking families first, demand transparency, and end reckless spending.