CONTACT:
Allison Janowski
[email protected]
Chicago, IL – Today, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez released the following statement regarding the signing of the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget by Governor JB Pritzker:
“Under Governor Pritzker’s strong fiscal leadership, Illinois will once again have a balanced budget that allows the state to invest in key services including health care, education, public safety, and workforce development all while paying down debts and growing our Rainy Day Fund. After years of mismanagement under Republican leadership, Governor Pritzker has ushered in a new day for Illinois with five balanced budgets in a row. I commend Democrats in the General Assembly, guided by Senate President Don Harmon and Speaker Chris Welch, who collaborated to craft a compassionate, transformative, and responsible budget that invests in our working families. With Democrats at the helm, Illinois’ future has never been brighter,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez.
Under Republican leadership, Illinois was crushed by 8 credit downgrades, $17 billion in overdue bills, and two years without a state budget. This budget builds on four years of historic fiscal progress that have gained Illinois eight credit rating upgrades, a Rainy Day Fund set to surpass $2 billion, and the elimination of the bill backlog. The signed budget designates $250 million to fund a new early childhood education plan in addition to $350 million for the K-12 evidence-based funding formula. With each of the last five balanced budgets, Illinois has demonstrated that it is possible to invest in infrastructure, people, and the future, all while protecting fiscal health and improving the state’s economy.
