SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget:

“I am happy to have voted for a plan that is balanced, and that accounts for the complexity of Illinois’ fiscal situation reeling from the pandemic.

“The programs that people depend on will not face painful cuts, keeping them reliable during an increased time of need. Keeping people healthy and rebuilding a strong economy is essential moving forward. I am glad this budget prioritized public health response, emergency response, and mental and behavioral health.

 “Furthermore, continuing the Black Caucus’ agenda to eradicate systemic racism is deeply necessary. It is crucial that the reforms my colleagues and I voted to pass have adequate funding, so that equity is at the forefront of all state structures. This budget does that.

“I’m confident the budget passed today will revitalize our state as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis of systemic racism.”