Fact Check: A projected $161 million will be deposited into the Budget Stabilization Fund during FY26, bringing the total to nearly $2.5 billion by the end of the fiscal year.

Fact Check: "A projected $161 million will be deposited into the Budget Stabilization Fund during FY26, bringing the total to nearly $2.5 billion by the end of the fiscal year."

What We Know

The claim states that a projected $161 million will be deposited into the Budget Stabilization Fund during Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), and that this will bring the total amount in the fund to nearly $2.5 billion by the end of the fiscal year. According to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Highlights, this projected deposit of $161 million is indeed accurate. The document outlines that this deposit follows an estimated $250 million deposit made in Fiscal Year 2025.

However, the claim regarding the total amount in the Budget Stabilization Fund reaching nearly $2.5 billion requires further examination. The same source indicates that the total in the fund will be close to this figure, but it does not explicitly confirm that it will reach exactly $2.5 billion. Additional context from the Illinois Governor's announcement corroborates the projected deposit but does not provide a definitive total for the fund at the end of FY26.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is primarily derived from the official budget documents, which are credible sources. The Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Highlights is a formal publication from the Illinois state government, which typically ensures a level of reliability in the information presented. The projected deposit of $161 million is clearly stated, making this part of the claim verifiable and true.

However, the assertion that the total will reach "nearly $2.5 billion" is less precise. While the budget documents suggest a significant increase in the fund's total, they do not provide a specific figure confirming that it will be exactly $2.5 billion. This ambiguity means that while the claim is grounded in fact, it lacks the precision needed to be wholly accurate.

Moreover, the Illinois Governor's announcement reinforces the projected deposit but does not clarify the total expected in the fund by the end of FY26. This lack of definitive confirmation raises questions about the claim's accuracy regarding the total fund amount.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. The projected deposit of $161 million into the Budget Stabilization Fund during FY26 is accurate and well-supported by credible sources. However, the assertion that this will bring the total to "nearly $2.5 billion" is not explicitly confirmed by the available budget documents, which leaves room for interpretation and uncertainty regarding the final total.

Fact Check: A projected $161 million will be deposited into the Budget Stabilization Fund during FY26, bringing the total to nearly $2.5 billion by the end of the fiscal year.