State Senator Napoleon Harris Budget Address Reaction 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) released the following statement regarding a proposed budget that makes mental health and public safety a priority in Illinois: 

“As this pandemic continues to hinder us from returning back to our normal lives it is imperative that our budget provides resources and programs that invest in mental health. I strongly support a budget that will provide $63 million to strengthen behavioral health organizations, sustain the well-being of our frontline workers and invest in mental health programs. 

LOCKPORT – In response to the governor’s budget proposal, State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) issued the following statement:

“In the face of the unprecedented challenges of the last two years, the proposed budget displays fiscal responsibility and offers statewide economic relief.

“The proposed budget puts Illinois on track by repaying all COVID-related borrowing, paying off our delayed insurance bills and contributing more than the minimum to our pension fund. We are also quite literally paving the way forward for our state through infrastructure investments here in the 43rd District and across Illinois.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) issued the following statement after the governor’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal Wednesday afternoon:

“During this time of unprecedented challenges, the proposed budget gives a well-deserved and much-needed helping hand to Illinoisans hardest hit by the pandemic.

“This budget addresses the needs of some of the most vulnerable individuals across our state through additional resources for the Department of Children and Family Services, increased funding for public health preparedness, and expanded home care and food delivery programs for older Illinoisans.

SPRINGFIELD – Following Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual State of the State and budget address, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) released a statement reacting to the governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget:

“After an unprecedented two years, we are still working to make sure Illinois families have access to the resources they need to not only survive, but also thrive as we work toward recovery.

“Caring for our children and young people is a fundamental priority because they serve as a barometer for community well-being. If the children are well, the parents and adult caregivers are well, and the environment is safe and clean, then it indicates that society is well. This is even more true now with the impact of compounding stressors imposed by the pandemic that only revealed existing deep disparities in school districts throughout the state. By investing over $350 million in the Evidence-Based Funding Formula, $54 million in the Early Childhood Block Grant, supporting proposals to reverse the teacher shortage, and facilitating access to mental and behavioral health, the proposed budget makes an effort to right the course by holistically supporting our young children, students, teachers and families.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) issued the following statement in response to the governor’s budget proposal on Wednesday:

“Increasing funding for public education, making college more accessible, recruiting additional law enforcement officers and supporting other public safety measures all coincide with my priorities in the Senate. Illinois needs a fiscally responsible budget that prioritizes recovery for our communities. 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) issued the following statement following Gov. JB Pritzker’s Budget Address Wednesday:

“The governor introduced a budget proposal at a critical moment in our state’s history. As we continue our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are faced with many challenges, but this proposal sets forth the priorities to address them while also recognizing the importance of achieving and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) issued a statement following Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address Wednesday:

“While every community has unique needs, we can all agree that making sure Illinois families get the necessary resources to get ahead is a top priority, along with helping our economy bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The increased allocations through the Local Government Distributive Fund will allow our municipalities  to respond to the issues that most affect their residents and help them get back to normalcy.

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker gave his annual budget and state of the state addresses this morning, after which State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“This budget is at a good place, and considering the circumstances, it reflects a more optimistic outlook than where we were a year ago. The budget proposal certainly takes into account the improved circumstances of our state’s economic and fiscal situations, and it’s a good place to begin the process of drafting our first budget that puts us on the road to economic recovery during this pandemic. It continues the work of cleaning up the mess that we, the Democrats, were left with after the disasters of the previous administration. This is going to show Illinoisans that we are good fiscal stewards, that we’re not only taking care of their money they entrust us with, but also that we are making real investments in uplifting all of our communities across the state-that we are building a state for the many and not the few.”