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.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“I am pleased that the governor’s plan is leaving room for additional COVID-19 relief, as we are entering the third year of the pandemic. We have done a lot of work to create equity in the health care sector, and I am ready to see the execution of those initiatives. I am also excited for further funding in our state’s health care and human services programs.

‘This is a budget proposal unlike any I’ve seen in my time in the Senate’

OAK PARK – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his annual budget proposal:

“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.

It speaks to the work we’ve done, together, to bring stability to our state finances.

SPRINGFIELD – Following Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement:

“The last two years of unprecedented hardship for our families and small businesses have made our top priority helping people get back on their feet as we continue toward recovery from the pandemic.

“Our schools have been hit hard with the back-and-forth between in-person and online learning, which is why I’m glad to see additional funding for programs like the Early Childhood Block Grant as well as a $350 million investment in the Evidence-Based Funding Formula to distribute money to the schools who need it most. Additionally, increased funding for broadband will ensure our families have reliable internet access as we continue to work through unpredictable times.