Illinois Gov. JB Pretzker signed the letter Tuesday, asking the White House to release $1.888 billion in approved federal funds.
Pretzker, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, said in a letter to Russell Vaut, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), that nearly $2 billion in federal funds were “passed by Congress, signed into law and committed to Illinois.”
“We are obligated to request Illinois taxpayers and residents answers about the future of this fund,” the letter said.
The letter states that nine Illinois agencies, boards and committees are owed $692 million, but have not yet received it from the federal government. 10 state entities expect an additional $119 billion of unmandated federal funding, with grants or programs being “essentially suspended.”
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The letter did not specify which state agencies or other entities received the funds, but shared details about what programs were affected.
Illinois Governor JB Pretzker will deliver his annual budget address on February 19, 2025 at the Illinois Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune Via AP, Pool)
“These freeze funds will provide technical assistance to small and medium-sized businesses, provide affordable solar energy to low-income residents, and impact programs such as improving roads and bridges,” the letter said.
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President Donald Trump will speak at the Cabinet meeting held at the White House in Washington on Tuesday, February 26th, 2025 (Pool via the AP)
The White House Management and Budget Budget Agency directed on January 27th to suspend federal funds in accordance with Trump’s executive order. Federal judges had issued temporary restraining orders to stop the funding freeze, but only states that filed lawsuits against the Trump administration could have access to unzen funds.
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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Deirdre Heavy of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
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