SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to steadfast, responsible leadership from members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus, the governor signed the state’s sixth balanced budget in a row into law Wednesday.

“This is a budget that is built on making a difference,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “Today, Illinois is stronger than it has ever been. Over the past six years we’ve overcome unprecedented challenges to truly turn around Illinois and set the course for a better tomorrow.”

The Fiscal Year 2025 budget represents a number of shared priorities of the caucus, including investing in educating children, protecting the state’s most vulnerable, keeping communities safe, and modernizing our infrastructure – among other items.

The budget continues the commitment of $350 million to K-12 funding – toppling $2 billion toward evidence based funding since its inception. The budget prioritizes not just students, but builds the teacher pipeline by providing recruitment and retention funding.

Further, to address the rising rate of crime and the need for greater public safety initiatives, the budget allocates millions of dollars to support public safety measures, invests in the tools law enforcement need to prevent and solve crimes, and strengthens investments in violence prevention programs that keep communities safe.

Additionally, the budget prioritizes business attraction and development, workforce training, economic assistance programs and more. It includes funds to support job creation, prioritizes business improvement and attract new businesses to the state.

“The budget signed today builds upon our strong, smart spending decisions of recent years that have led Illinois to not just one credit upgrade – but nine,” said Senate Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “I am proud of the steps we took to continue Illinois on the right path. We didn’t just look at fiscal outcomes, but prioritized our most vulnerable populations – educating our young people, keeping our communities safe, creating good jobs, and growing our economy.”

Senate Bill 251 was signed into law Wednesday and takes effect July 1.