CHICAGO — In a fiery exchange that’s drawing national attention, U.S. Representative Mary Miller directly confronted Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker during a congressional hearing — accusing him of placing undocumented immigrants ahead of American citizens and raising taxes to support it.
Miller, holding budget documents and public reports, accused the governor of misleading Illinois taxpayers while secretly redirecting millions toward migrant aid.
“You raised their taxes to fund handouts for criminal aliens,” Miller said during the exchange, holding a chart of Illinois spending. “Illinois is fed up.”
The governor did not respond directly during the moment, instead quietly reviewing documents.
Budget Criticism Highlights Rising Migrant Costs
Miller’s claims pointed to three key concerns:
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Illinois is prioritizing non-citizen services over residents, including housing, ID access, and medical care
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Governor Pritzker has increased taxes to fund programs that largely benefit recent migrants
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There is a lack of transparency in state-level migrant aid reporting
Over the last two years, the state has spent more than $300 million on emergency relief for migrants, including housing in downtown hotels, intake processing at city shelters, and public ID cards for undocumented residents.
These programs have been praised by immigrant advocacy groups, but have come under growing fire from conservative lawmakers and taxpayer watchdogs.
Governor’s Office Stays Silent During Challenge
During the hearing, Pritzker did not interrupt or directly address Miller’s accusations. Video from the event shows him flipping through a binder while the congresswoman spoke.
In previous remarks, the governor defended his position by emphasizing Illinois’ commitment to being a “welcoming state” — insisting that supporting migrant communities is a moral obligation, especially when federal resources fall short.
But the latest confrontation marks the most public pushback yet, with Miller using state budget data to frame her challenge. Her full remarks were posted on her official X account shortly after the session.
Illinois’ Role in the National Immigration Battle
Illinois, particularly Chicago, remains at the center of the U.S. immigration conversation. Since 2023, more than 40,000 migrants have been transported to Illinois — mostly from Texas under Gov. Greg Abbott’s relocation program.
Gov. Pritzker’s administration has responded by:
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Approving over $300 million in state funds for migrant housing and aid
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Coordinating with Chicago city agencies for intake processing
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Extending public assistance and ID services to undocumented arrivals
While these moves have drawn praise from Democratic leaders, lawmakers like Miller argue they leave working-class residents behind.
What Happens Next
As Illinois enters a new fiscal year, pressure is building on state leadership to reevaluate its funding priorities. Meanwhile, political voices on both sides are gearing up for 2026 elections, where immigration spending is expected to play a major role in campaign platforms.
Do you believe Illinois leaders are putting residents first — or prioritizing new migrants with your tax dollars?
Tell us what you think at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — your voice matters in this debate.
