Illinois lawmakers funded a Hispanic chamber of commerce connected to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Its chief opposes ICE deportations.
Illinois state lawmakers allocated a $1.5 million grant to the Hispanic chamber of commerce for “operating expenses.”
Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jaime di Paulo is outspoken against deportations of business owners, and has written an open letter calling for amnesty. His organization also published a guide for navigating ICE raids for business owners, and offers resources for government audits and “unexpected immigration-related challenges.”
The chamber provides services to Hispanic business owners, but why should state taxpayers fund them? Chambers of commerce across Illinois are funded by member dues. State funding of one chamber and not another effectively subsidizes some businesses over others.
The chamber aims to create “economic opportunities for the Hispanic community and the region.” They do this by having Hispanic business owners connect as well as helping with grant, loans and paperwork. There are over 100,000 members, making Illinois’ the largest Latino business network in the Midwest.
The chamber has a partnership with 1871, a digital startup incubator founded by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. This program offers mentorship for technology startups with a Hispanic founder.
Lawmakers claimed the 2026 budget contained no pork, but a closer look shows 2,815 items over $200,000 lawmakers decided to fund in the final hours of the legislative session – rushed, harmful to taxpayers and with no time for public scrutiny.
The items include the Hispanic chamber grant and $40 million for a sports complex at the alma mater of Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch.
Competitive grants with objective evaluation criteria and reporting requirements should be scored and tracked by a state agency to ensure the funds are allocated and used properly. These earmarks should be made public well in advance of the budget vote – not hidden until state lawmakers can get a photo-op to bolster their reelection bids. Taxpayers should know why the money is being spent and what the public should expect in return for the support.
Reforms such as a state budget spending cap, mandatory public review periods and requiring detailed grant disclosures would help restore transparency and trust in Springfield. A little sunshine would ward off waste.
Want to see the 2,815 earmarks and questionable spending state lawmakers put in this year’s budget? Use our look-up tool below.
