OAK PARK – Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement today after the Supreme Court issued an opinion overturning Roe v. Wade:

“Today’s ruling is a distressing departure from five decades of precedent and a devastating blow to women around the country.

This decision turns the clock back to a time when women did not have autonomy over their own bodies and died trying to access health care.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon D-Oak Park, issued the following statement after the Senate voted to pass a balanced budget that pays down debts, invests in education and police, and provides nearly $2 billion in tax relief for Illinoisans:

“This budget continues our practice of responsible budgeting and providing strength through stability. It pays our bills, sets extra aside and provides billions in relief for those who need it the most.

This is a great budget that reflects the needs and priorities of the people of this great state.”

SPRINGFIELD – Building upon the responsible spending decisions the Illinois Senate Democratic caucus made and balanced budgets they’ve passed in recent years, the General Assembly passed a spending and tax relief package that prioritizes working families and provides them with relief following two years of financial distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We knew we wanted to provide real relief to people who, despite an over-performing economy, are struggling under the weight of inflation and the lingering effect of the pandemic,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “This budget puts money back into the pockets of hardworking Illinoisans in the form of direct tax refund checks.”

Following the budget impasse that hindered Illinois’ financial footing, the state took critical action to pay off its bills. Soon, Illinois saw its credit rating improve and found itself with a sizeable surplus thanks to efforts from the Illinois Senate Democrats. This allowed the General Assembly to pass a budget that pays it forward by fighting inflation and putting money back in taxpayers’ pockets. In total, working families will see $1.83 billion in relief.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement after the State Senate advanced a resolution nominating Judge Michael McCuskey to be the new Legislative Inspector General:

“The position of Legislative Inspector General is too important to stay vacant for as long as it has. An impasse is not an option, so we are taking decisive action to move forward with an excellent candidate.

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.”

‘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.

An Elmwood Park rail crossing that was the site of the horrific, day-before-Thanksgiving 2005 Metra crash will get $3.1 million to continue planning its eventual replacement, state officials announced.

More than a dozen people were injured in that 2005 collision when a Metra train travelling nearly 70 mph plowed into vehicles on the tracks at West Grand Avenue sending them careening into surrounding traffic.

“To this day I remain amazed and thankful that no one was killed in that horrific 2005 crash,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, who represents the area. “This investment is a long time coming and vital to the safety of the thousands of people who make this crossing daily by car and train. This investment will make our community safer.”

OAK PARK – Senate President Don Harmon released the following statement today after President Joe Biden signed a historic investment in infrastructure:

“I look forward to the transformative projects Illinois will be able to begin as a result of this legislation. Every region of Illinois will benefit. We have the opportunity to modernize our infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, improve public transportation, increase access to broadband Internet and further our commitment to green energy.”