South West Illinois News

Ed McLean, chairman of the Monroe County Republicans, has criticized Governor J.B. Pritzker's administration for its handling of Illinois' Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program. McLean claimed that the program resulted in a $1.6 billion waste of taxpayer money. He made these remarks to SW Illinois News on March 4.

"Over four years, Governor JB Pritzker allowed $1.6 billion of taxpayer money to be squandered on a healthcare program for noncitizens, ignoring its skyrocketing costs," said McLean. "His administration's cost estimates were disastrously inaccurate, leading to significant financial mismanagement and reports of fraud. Despite clear evidence of failure, Pritzker avoided accountability and misrepresented the program's burden on taxpayers. Illinois needs leadership that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline."

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the program has cost Illinois $1.6 billion since 2020, significantly exceeding Governor Pritzker's initial estimates. A state audit revealed that Pritzker's administration underestimated both enrollment and costs, with some expenses surpassing projections by 282%. The audit identified errors such as duplicate recipient IDs and undocumented enrollees possessing Social Security numbers. Despite the financial strain, Pritzker decided to terminate the program by July 1, though Republican lawmakers are calling for an immediate shutdown.

Capitol News Illinois reported that Illinois is facing a projected $3.2 billion revenue shortfall for fiscal year 2026 due to the expiration of federal pandemic aid and stagnant tax revenues. Governor Pritzker presented his seventh budget on February 19 amidst economic slowdowns and uncertainty regarding future federal funding. According to Capitol News, Republican legislators have suggested reducing aid for undocumented residents as a cost-cutting measure, noting that this aid purportedly amounted to $558 million during this fiscal year alone. The report also mentioned that former President Trump's attempts to reduce federal funding to Illinois have contributed to budgetary uncertainty, particularly after his administration temporarily halted disbursements.

McLean has been involved in politics since becoming chairman in 2016. A retired engineer and business leader, he lives with his wife on a small horse farm in rural Monroe County. He is active in civic organizations, having been a member of the Masonic Shrine Organization for 44 years and involved with the Rotary Club since 1987.