IL Freedom Caucus Members File Legal Challenge Against Budget Process, Legislative Leaders

Photo submitted by Illinois Freedom Caucus.

For Immediate Release

The complaint, led by Senator Andrew Chesney, cites late-night violations of public trust in the budget process, maneuvers to violate the Constitution

June 5, 2025

Springfield– Today, the Illinois Freedom Caucus announced that all of its members have filed legal action to challenge the unconstitutional process used by Illinois politicians to force through the state’s $55 billion budget package near midnight.

“The people of Illinois deserve an honest process,” said Senator Chesney, who is leading this fight for the Freedom Caucus. “Instead, they got a budget rammed through in the middle of the night with no time to read it and no debate. That’s not transparency. That’s not democracy. And it sure as hell isn’t constitutional.”

The Illinois Constitution requires every bill to be read on three separate days in each chamber, a safeguard designed to ensure transparency, prevent abuse, and protect the taxpayers. However, in recent history that rule has been ignored many times. Instead, Springfield insiders take unrelated bills, gut them with amendments, and ram through thousands of pages of last-minute government spending often just hours before a vote is called. This process is a slap in the face to the taxpayer in Illinois, often fast asleep resting before a good day’s work while their government spends their tax dollars.

“Every day, we fight for truth, logic, and common sense in Springfield. Now, the time has come where we must take the fight to the courtroom,” Chairman Chris Miller said. “ This is about defending the Constitution, and the protections it provides to the people of Illinois against government abuse when the politicians have forgotten the people.”

The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City),Jed Davis (R-Newark), David Friess (R-Red Bud) and State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.