Illinois Audit Uncovers $1.6 Billion Overspend on Immigrant Healthcare Programs

State programs for undocumented and other immigrants significantly exceeded budget projections, with enrollment errors and mismanagement contributing to the financial overrun.

A state audit revealed Illinois spent $1.6 billion on healthcare programs for immigrants since 2020, far exceeding initial cost estimates.
Enrollment figures were significantly underestimated, with some age groups seeing more than double the projected participation numbers.
Auditors identified cases of improper enrollment, including individuals eligible for federal Medicaid and others with duplicate identification numbers.
Governor JB Pritzker proposed eliminating funding for the program covering immigrants aged 42–64 in the 2026 budget, while maintaining reduced funding for seniors over 65.
Republican lawmakers criticized the programs as financially unsustainable and called for their immediate termination, citing fraud and mismanagement.