Governor J.B. Pritizger is proposing an over $41 billion state budget for the next fiscal year. He outlined the fiscal spending plan Wednesday to the General Assembly in Springfield. The budget does not raise taxes but does rely heavily on federal funding. It spends less than last year, institutes a hiring freeze, fully funds state government pensions and closes some corporate tax loopholes. Following the address, both local legislators-55th District Republican State Senator Darren Bailey and 109th District State Representative Adam Niemerg criticized the budget saying it does nothing to relieve the strain on middle-class taxpayers in their districts and is hurtful to small, family owned businesses.