Lawmakers sold 20 new taxes and fees as necessary to rebuild crumbling roads and bridges and balance the budget. Instead, taxpayers will be funding dog parks, swimming pools, snowmobile paths, a vacant theater and pickleball courts.

Contrary to claims from both Republicans and Democrats, and despite raising nearly $1.1 billion in new taxes and fees for operations, the fiscal year 2020 budget is out of balance by between $574 million and $1.3 billion.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law a budget that includes pay raises for state lawmakers, as Illinoisans brace for a number of new tax hikes.

New change in law paves the way for sports betting at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, and the United Center, among other venues.

The Illinois General Assembly sent $85 billion in proposed spending to Gov J.B. Pritzker’s desk in a matter of days. That package included tax hikes on ordinary Illinoisans and pay raises for all state lawmakers.

Illinoisans will pay more for gas, vehicle registration, cigarettes and parking after a bipartisan vote for $45 billion in new capital spending.

A new governor and Democratic supermajorities have retained the same chaotic budgeting process that has brought the state’s credit rating to near-junk status.