INDIAN HILLS – The state budget signed into law today by Gov. JB Pritzker preserves essential services that Illinoisans need most during the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Hills) says.

“We returned to Springfield last month to ensure our state’s most important resources remain available for its residents, and that’s what’s in this budget,” Link said. “People are struggling, and now isn’t the time to make cuts that would eliminate services – not when people need them most.”

Illinois’ Fiscal Year 2021 budget includes full funding for P-12 education, a total investment of $12.6 billion. That includes $7.2 billion for the state’s evidence-based funding system, ensuring that school districts won’t be receiving less in state funding than last year.

The budget also holds funding flat for the state’s public colleges and universities, ensuring they won’t be forced to make steep cuts and eliminate services. 

Further, the spending plan once again makes Illinois’ full required pension payment.

“This budget provides stability in the face of the unprecedented challenges the people of Illinois are facing as a result of COVID-19,” Link said. “I’m glad we were able to retain critical services that will help Illinois residents cope with this pandemic.”

SPRINGFIELD – As the state begins a staggered reopening process during the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) was glad to see funding set aside for businesses affected by closures in this year’s state budget, signed into law today.

“Our small businesses not only create jobs and stimulate the local economy—they make our communities unique,” said Murphy. “It’s important that we support them as they reopen after weeks of pandemic-related closures and begin the tough recovery process.”

The state budget for the 2021 fiscal year sets aside more than $600 million in funding for businesses impacted by COVID-19. Specific funds have been allocated for daycare providers and businesses in underserved communities.

To help workers get back on their feet until businesses can reopen, the Department of Employment Security will receive nearly $60 million in additional funding to help address challenges with the unemployment system.

Murphy also highlighted features of the budget that aim to support middle class Illinoisans more broadly, like the preservation of funding for K-12 and higher education, as well as an $871.8 million increase in funding to human services agencies providing aid to seniors, children and families across the state.

“Illinois unemployment is at a record high, but I hope these funds will give business owners, workers and their families the support they need to recover from pandemic-related losses as our state begins to reopen,” said Murphy.

The budget is contained in Senate Bill 264. The governor signed it into law Wednesday, and it takes effect July 1.

SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) hopes the state’s most vulnerable populations will see relief under a state budget that increases funding to human services agencies providing food, financial assistance and other aid.

“The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been easy on anyone, but our seniors and people with disabilities have been hit particularly hard,” said Fine. “I’m pleased to see a budget that prioritizes the human services agencies supporting people through these difficult times.”

The budget includes $86.8 million for the Illinois Department on Aging to provide home-delivered meal services to older adults, who may be unable to access food during the pandemic without significant risk to their health. The budget also increases funding to the Community Care Program by nearly $28 million to help people who might otherwise need to go to an assisted living facility to stay in their homes.

To provide relief to the many people with disabilities who have found themselves ill or isolated from friends and family during this crisis, the budget increases funding to help care for people with developmental disabilities by approximately $90 million. It also increases funding for the Home Services Program, which helps people with disabilities live independent lives in their own homes, by more than $110 million.

“As a result of the virus, supportive government services are needed more now than ever before,” said Fine. “I’m glad to see a state budget that acknowledges the need for the government to step up and provide aid to those hurting.”

The budget is contained in Senate Bill 264. The governor signed it into law Wednesday, and it takes effect July 1.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) offered the following statement in response to the governor’s approval of the state budget for the upcoming year:

“COVID-19 has presented our state with unprecedented challenges to which there are no easy solutions,” Koehler said. “When I returned to Springfield last month to pass a budget for the upcoming year, it was clear we needed to take swift, substantive action to preserve our local businesses and alleviate some of the hardship so many of our residents are facing at this moment.” 

The state’s budget for the upcoming year includes:

• $400 million for local health departments;
• $250 million in CARES Act funding for downstate local governments;
• More than $200 million set aside to help businesses affected by COVID-19 in downstate communities;
• Nearly $80 million for rent and mortgage assistance for people affected by COVID-19 in downstate communities;
• Nearly $60 million in additional funding for the Department of Employment Security to help address the challenges with the unemployment system;
• $10 million for mental health and substance abuse treatment related to COVID-19 in downstate communities.

 “While we have certainly been presented with an unfortunate situation, this is the sort of moment in which the legislature is supposed to step up and do what is right by those who we represent,” Koehler said. “This budget adequately uses the resources we have available to us at the state level to meet our immediate needs without sacrificing vital services.”

FRANKFORT – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) offered the following statement in response to Governor Pritzker’s approval of the state budget for the upcoming year: 

“From our working families and local businesses to bodies of government, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted every aspect of our lives,” Hastings said. “Naturally, when it comes to crafting a state budget during a national pandemic with decreased revenues and increased expenses, there are no easy decisions, but this budget meets the immediate needs of our people.”

The state’s budget for the upcoming year includes:

• $600 million in funding for businesses impacted by COVID-19
• $60 million in additional funding for the Illinois Department of Employment Security to help address the challenges with unemployment programs
• Full funding for our pension system
• No cuts to P-12 education funding

“My primary focus is and always will be to provide essential services to our neighbors while preserving public health,” Hastings said. “I’m pleased Governor Pritzker shares this vision.” 

MARYVILLE – Realizing the financial devastation the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on local communities, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is relieved by the investments made for downstate Illinois in next year’s budget, which the governor signed into law Wednesday.

“It’s difficult to think of one department or industry that hasn’t been hurt by the pandemic,” Crowe said. “This budget recognizes our state’s fiscal reality, while funding essential services in downstate Illinois’ education institutions, health departments, businesses and local governments.”

The FY 21 budget:

• Continues to fulfill the state’s commitment to fully fund P-12 and higher education, with an additional $12.7 million going to the Illinois State Board of Education,
• Provides an additional $400 million for local health departments,
• Gives over $200 million to help businesses effected by COVID-19 in downstate communities, and
• Allocates $250 million in CARES Act funding for downstate local governments.

“With funding for businesses dependent on geographic location within state lines, investments will be seen in every corner of Illinois,” Crowe said. “Grants and other resources are also secured specifically for daycare providers in an effort to provide much needed support when residents return to work.”

In addition, the budget appropriates nearly $60 million in funding to the Department of Employment Security to address the challenges with the unemployment system, allowing the department to hire more staff for assistance on claims.

The FY 21 budget is effective July 1, 2020.

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago released the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 21 budget, found in Senate Bill 264, providing funding for services that will put Illinois on the road to recovery from the health and economic stresses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Our immigrant communities were left with little to no support under federal aid packages as the Trump administration chose to ignore their needs. I applaud my colleagues and Governor Pritzker for increasing funding for immigrant welcoming centers and expanding Medicaid to cover undocumented seniors.

“Our small businesses will see support from $600 million in grants dedicated to helping them rebuild, including funds set aside for underserved communities. This budget also provides rent and mortgage assistance, and helps deliver important healthcare services.

“We won’t stop here. Young people continue to protest against inequities in our communities, and we need to answer their call. Latino communities in my district need violence intervention services, protection against environmental racism and more investments in economic development.”

NAPERVILLE — A measure that was signed into law last week will help survivors of sexual assault be able to receive medical forensic exams, also known as rape kits, at federally qualified health centers, in addition to hospitals during the COVID-19 crisis. State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is a strong supporter of the new law, which she voted for in May.

“Seeking help after a sexual assault is already difficult. Now that hospitals are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be that much harder,” Ellman said. “Nobody should be forced to make the decision between potentially contracting COVID-19 and seeking justice.”

Senate Bill 557 allows approved federally qualified health centers to perform rape kit examinations and collection during public health emergencies like COVID-19. 

“The reality is, this pandemic hasn’t stopped sexual assault in Illinois,” Ellman said. “It’s critical that survivors have access to medical forensic exams somewhere other than hospitals.”

This measure took effect last Friday.