Illinois Faces $2.5 Billion Migrant Spending, Primarily on Healthcare

A new report projects that Illinois will spend $2.5 billion on migrants, with a significant portion allocated to healthcare expenses. The Illinois Public Policy Institute, a think tank focused on state public policy, released the report, detailing the costs associated with supporting the influx of migrants into the state.

The report indicates that the $2.5 billion in taxpayer funds is being used for healthcare, migrant welcome centers, housing, emergency food, resettlement services, and rental assistance. Since 2023, Illinois has allocated $478 million for "migrant benefits" through the Welcoming with Dignity initiative.

The Illinois state government has spent over $1.6 billion on two programs covering healthcare costs for migrants, according to a report from the Office of the Auditor General. One program, Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults, which served individuals aged 42-64, was cut due to budgetary constraints. The other program, serving seniors, will continue.

The audit revealed that the programs' costs exceeded initial projections. The senior program, initially estimated to cost $224 million, ended up costing $412.3 million, 84% higher than expected. In 2023 alone, total costs surpassed expected spending by over $400 million.

The report was released after Governor J.B. Pritzker testified before Congress regarding the state's sanctuary policies. Pritzker stated that Illinois responded to a humanitarian crisis by ensuring children and families were provided for. An estimated 51,000 undocumented immigrants have arrived in Chicago from the southern border, primarily from Texas.