Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says Trump administrator withholds $1.88B from state
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a letter Tuesday asking the White House to release $1.88 billion in approved federal funds, which he said the Trump administration is withheld.
In a letter to Russel Vourch, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), President Donald Trump’s outspoken critic Pritzker said nearly $2 billion in federal funding “is passed by Congress, signed into law and promised to sign it to Illinois.”
“We are obliged to ask Illinois taxpayers and residents for answers about the future of this funding, including when the Trump administration will comply with the law and treat the federal government’s commitment to sending hard-earned taxpayers back to Illinois’ economy, labor, labor and community,” the letter said.
The letter noted that nine Illinois agencies, boards and committees were unable to obtain $692 million in their obligations, but had not yet obtained from the federal government. Ten state entities are expected to have $1.19 billion in federal funds yet to be obligated, and grants or programs are “basically suspended.”
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While the letter does not specify which state agencies and other entities should receive the funds, it shares some details about which programs are affected.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker posted his annual budget address at the Illinois Capitol in Springfield, Illinois on February 19, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, swimming pool)
“These frozen funds have affected programs to provide technical assistance to small businesses, provide affordable solar energy to low-income residents, improve roads and bridges, etc.”
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President Donald Trump speaks at a cabinet meeting in the White House in Washington on Tuesday, February 26, 2025. (via AP pool)
The White House Office of Management and Budget directed agencies to stop federal funding on January 27 under Trump’s executive order. Federal judges have issued temporary restraining orders to prevent funds from being frozen, but only states that file lawsuits against the Trump administration will be able to obtain future funds.
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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Deirdre Heaven of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.
