Pritzker’s budget does little for Black Illinoisans

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Chicago Tribune Opinion Thursday, February 26, 2026

Good morning, Chicago. Gov JB Pritzker kicked off the state budget season last week with his State of the State address. The plan has been dubbed a "maintenance budget," and many people like Willie Wilson are disappointed in how little it does for Black and brown communities. The governor also plans to tackle affordable housing by introducing new legislation that would incentivize development. The Tribune Editorial Board weighs in on this plan and how it will encourage more units to be built in its first editorial today. Springfield is also working on legislation that would force grocery stores to offer matching digital and print coupons. In its second piece, the board calls on Jewel-Osco to update its glitchy shopping app on its own, before state lawmakers have to step in. Thanks for reading — Grace Miserocchi, opinion editor Submit an op-ed | Submit a letter to the editor | Meet the Tribune Editorial Board | Subscribe to this newsletter Willie Wilson: Gov. JB Pritzker's budget does little to help Black and brown Illinoisans Instead of a maintenance budget, Gov. JB Pritzker should channel state resources to close widening disparities in Black and brown neighborhoods. Read more → Editorial: Illinois confronts its housing shortage — at last These reforms won't lower the cost of housing or flip a switch on development overnight, but they will go a long way in encouraging more housing supply, which is sorely needed. Read more → Editorial: Fix your lousy shopping app, Jewel-Osco! Do digital coupons at Jewel-Osco discriminate? Read more → Bill Quinlan: The city should offer concessions to the Bears, but not at the expense of taxpayers Concessions for the Bears could include entertainment taxes on corporations buying premium suites, or hotel-related revenues on events. Read more → David Greising: The Rev. Jesse Jackson shaped Chicago in innumerable ways The battles Jesse Jackson fought in Chicago and mostly won built a record that earned him a national profile. Read more → Letters: Trump delivered more of the usual nonsense at his State of the Union Beyond Trump vowing to continue the immigration tactics and going around the Supreme Court tariff decision, no policy initiatives were offered. Read more → Tribune Editorial Board endorsements for 2026 Illinois primary election In the 2026 primaries, the Tribune Editorial Board endeavors to help both Republican and Democratic Party-affiliated readers make their best choices. Read more →

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