Statement on the Passage of the FY27 Illinois State Budget and the Digital Advertising Tax

The Workers Center for Racial Justice applauds the Illinois General Assembly for the passage of the Digital Advertising Tax. Once fully implemented, this policy is projected to generate over $1.2 billion annually by requiring the world’s most profitable mega-corporations to finally contribute to the communities where they do business.

We specifically want to recognize the tireless leadership of Representative Norma Hernández and Senator Robert Peters, who championed this legislation and ensured that corporate accountability remained a priority this session.

This victory is a direct result of "people power." Over the past several months, our members and partners marched through the Capitol, met with lawmakers, and organized across fences and kitchen tables to ensure community voices were impossible to ignore. This tax is a major step toward a fairer revenue system and proof that when ordinary people organize, we can successfully challenge powerful corporate interests.

However, while we celebrate this progress, we must be clear: this budget still falls short of the scale of the challenges facing Illinois families.

Winning new revenue only matters if that revenue is used to solve the affordability crisis. While the Digital Advertising Tax is a win, lawmakers left additional revenue options on the table that could have provided even deeper investments in the essential services our communities depend on: stronger schools, affordable childcare, and accessible healthcare.

At a time when the federal administration continues its unprecedented attacks on the programs working-class families rely on to survive, Illinois cannot afford to settle for the bare minimum. We are disappointed that the General Assembly did not take bolder action to fully tax the ultra-wealthy and mega-corporations to the extent required to meet this moment.

The conclusion of this legislative session is not the end of our work; it is a reminder of why our movement exists. We will continue to organize, educate, and build collective power to demand that our elected officials put community needs ahead of corporate greed.

WCRJ remains committed to fighting for a budget that offers real solutions for working-class Black families. WCRJ remains steadfast in our commitment: we will not stop until every family in Illinois has the resources, dignity, and economic justice they deserve.