SPRINGFIELD – To close the health care gap for people living in rural parts of the state, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) is championing a measure to provide financial incentives to physicians who perform medical services in rural areas.

“Advancing this bill will mean that people across the state will have more attainable access high quality health care,” said Turner. “We must work to restore access to quality and abundant care in rural Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following a press conference responding to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State address, the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus (ILLC) issued this statement:

State Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) said, “We heard good news from the Governor regarding his priority investments, and overall, his budget proposal is a good starting point for further negotiations with my fellow legislators. There are many aspects of this proposal the Latino Caucus supports and have the potential to really make a difference in our community, such as family tax relief, violence prevention, investments in healthcare, education and businesses.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Deputy Majority Leader Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Pritzker’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget:

“While we have made progress toward tackling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, more work must be done to provide protections for our frontline and healthcare workers. Furthermore, we must do more to support our safety net hospitals, which are the backbone for health care in marginalized communities.

“Safety nets make up 19.1% of our state’s hospitals and care for our state’s most vulnerable populations. We must ensure that they are funded properly, and equipped with adequate staffing and resources.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus heard the governor’s state budget proposal Wednesday and will immediately begin bipartisan, bicameral conversations to bring forth a balanced budget that prioritizes Illinoisans in all corners of the state.

“I’m not accustomed to good news in a budget speech. This is a budget proposal unlike any I’ve seen in my time in the Senate,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “It speaks to the work we’ve done, together, to bring stability to our state finances. That stability allows us to invest back in our state and provide relief to those hit hardest by the pandemic and associated economic downturn.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) released the following statement today regarding the governor’s proposed budget:

“The impact this pandemic has had on our communities shows how necessary it is for Illinois to provide relief to the working families who have unprecedented struggles. This proposal is a good starting point – as it fully funds our education systems, while paying down debts and contributing more money to our state’s pension fund.”

“Two years ago, I proposed the pension buyout program which has now saved $1.4 billion in pension obligations, reduced our liabilities and helped the state achieve credit upgrades for the first time in decades. I’m pleased to see the governor acknowledge the program’s success and I look forward to working with him to extend it.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“It is imperative that we fund further initiatives to keep our communities safe, as many Illinoisans are living in fear due to gang violence and carjackings. I am glad that, finally, the Gang Crime Witness Protection Program I sponsored will be receiving $20 million in funding. This program is crucial to ensure that we can keep Illinoisans safe from the violence that plagues our communities.

“I will continue to advocate for an end to the violence that interferes with the safety of our most vulnerable populations, and for increased investment in violence prevention initiatives.

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.