Illinois Lawmakers Criticize Pritzker Administration’s Handling of No…

Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin, and Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, question representatives of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services about proposed changes to programs that offer health care benefits to noncitizens in Illinois. (Andrew Adams / Capitol News Illinois)

Members of a state rulemaking oversight committee voiced concerns Tuesday that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration didn’t sufficiently seek public input on its plan to cap enrollment in Medicaid-like health care programs for noncitizens.

The controversy centers on the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors programs, which provide health care benefits to low-income noncitizens who would qualify for Medicaid benefits if not for their citizenship status.

During May budget negotiations, lawmakers gave the Pritzker administration authority to cap program spending through emergency rulemaking, and his administration exercised that authority in late…