Illinois taxpayers just got the bill for illegal immigrant healthcare, and it’s worse than expected

For years, Illinois has been quietly expanding taxpayer-funded healthcare programs for undocumented migrants. Now, a new investigation has exposed just how out of control the spending has become. A recent audit found that these programs have cost taxpayers $1.6 billion over the last five years, blowing past original estimates and raising serious questions about who’s actually eligible.

The Illinois Auditor General uncovered a mess—thousands of enrollees were not even eligible, yet they still received benefits. Some had Social Security numbers despite being listed as undocumented. Others didn’t even meet the age requirements. Yet somehow, the program kept growing. Enrollment nearly doubled from initial projections, draining state funds at an unsustainable rate.

Governor JB Pritzker is standing by the program, even as the numbers tell a different story. His solution? Propose cutting one of the programs to help patch a budget hole while keeping the other running. But the damage is already done. Taxpayers weren’t just misled on costs—they were forced to foot the bill for benefits that shouldn’t have been issued in the first place.

Republicans are sounding the alarm, calling the entire operation a financial disaster. They argue that Illinois’ mismanagement has created a massive burden on taxpayers, and this audit proves it. Meanwhile, Pritzker defends the spending, refusing to take full responsibility for how badly it spiraled out of control.

The bottom line? Illinois just burned through $1.6 billion in taxpayer money on a program riddled with ineligible enrollees—and the governor still won’t admit it’s a problem.

🚨 New investigation finds the State of Illinois is providing free taxpayer funded healthcare for illegals, costing taxpayers millions

“Governor JB Pritzker is defending the program”

“Accusations tonight against an Illinois program that provides healthcare for undocumented… pic.twitter.com/IG4mPSekE8

— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) February 28, 2025