An state audit of Governor JB Pritzker's administration reveals massive benefits fraud that cost the state $1.6bn over the last 5 years. Actual costs were underreported by 84% and 20% of enrollees were ineligible for benefits because they were marked as "undocumented".
Democrat billionaire Prtizker was seen fleeing the state on his private jet shortly before the results of the audit became public.
https://www.newsweek.com/illinois-probe-billion-dollar-health-care-scheme-migrants-pritzker-2037778Illinois Probed Over $1.6 Billion Health-Care Scheme for Illegal Migrants
Illinois state audit has revealed that Governor JB Pritzker's administration hugely underestimated the cost of programs providing health care to undocumented immigrants, prompting calls for them to be shut down.
The report, released on Wednesday by Auditor General Frank Mautino's office, said the programs have cost the state more than $1.6 billion since 2020.
Newsweek contacted Pritzker's office for further comment via email.
Pritzker's proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year eliminates funding for the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program, which provided health care for immigrants without legal status aged 42 to 64. But his proposal includes $132 million for the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program, which caters to those over 65.
While progressive lawmakers support the programs, Republicans have accused Pritzker's administration of mismanaging the programs and downplaying their cost. Some have called for the program for adults to be shut down now.
The audit, ordered by the Legislative Audit Commission in 2023, revealed that initial cost estimates for the program for seniors was $224 million for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 fiscal years, but actually cost the state just $412.3 million—or 84 percent more.
But the program for those between 42 and 64 saw much greater cost overruns.
