Lake County Gazette

Illinois taxpayers are feeling the financial burden of providing services to undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers, with an estimated cost of $2.84 billion since July 1, 2022. The breakdown of estimated spending from Fiscal Year 2023 to Fiscal Year 2025 includes $820 million in support services, with $478 million allocated for asylum seeker assistance, $160 million for new additional state investments, and $182 million for emergency funding requests.

According to reports, healthcare costs for undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers over the same two-year period are staggering, totaling just over $2 billion. This includes significant amounts allocated in the state budgets for Fiscal Year 2023, Fiscal Year 2024, and the proposed Fiscal Year 2025.

Republican lawmakers in Illinois have raised concerns about the prioritization of funding for healthcare costs for undocumented immigrants, highlighting the disparity between taxpayers and non-citizens. They argue that while Illinois residents bear the burden of insurance premiums and co-pays, undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers are not contributing to their healthcare costs, which are covered by taxpayers.

The impact of these expenditures on taxpayers is significant, as funds that could otherwise support essential programs for all Illinois citizens, particularly seniors and the most economically and socially vulnerable, are diverted. Illinois stands out as one of only five states providing Medicare-like benefits, funded by taxpayers, to undocumented immigrants.

In response to these challenges, House Republican lawmakers in Illinois have taken steps to address the situation. They have sponsored legislation such as House Resolution 220, aiming to impose a moratorium on healthcare benefits for non-citizens, and House Bill 4187, which seeks to repeal the Illinois Trust Act defining the state as a Sanctuary State for immigrants and migrants.