SPRINGFIELD - Following the signing of the Illinois FY 2021 budget, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) highlighted the preservation of education and local government funding and efforts to address financial challenges presented by COVID-19.

Ellman emphasized that with this budget, the state is committed to maintaining and making full pension payments, as well as holding the line for P-12 and higher education funding.

“We have a responsibly to hold up our end of the bargain and continue to maintain the state’s pension payments and education funding,” Ellman said. “Now, more than ever, it is absolutely imperative that we provide confidence for our students and educators in these uncertain times.”

Ellman also highlighted a provision in the budget that expanded the eligibility of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through June 2021. LIHEAP is a program to assist low-income households struggling with paying their utility bills. 

“This pandemic has effected all of us, even more so for the financial security of those who are already having trouble paying their bills,” Ellman said. “Expanding the eligibility for this program was a necessary step to ensure that those who are already struggling don’t fall through the cracks.”

In addition, this year’s budget provides an increase to the Local Government Distributive Fund. The fund provides local governments with a share of the state’s income tax revenue and will help them make up for budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The law takes effect July 1, 2020.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 21 budget, found in Senate Bill 264, providing funding for services that will put Illinois on the road to recovery from the health and economic stresses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“When we approved this budget, we did not think we would be in the middle of a movement today. I am proud of the work we did to bring much-needed funds to minority communities that were placed in the path of the COVID-19 storm as a result of decades of systemic racism.

“This budget is only the beginning of reimagining our state. We will continue to fight boldly for basic human rights through a path that not only recognizes the wrongs of the past, but turns the tide once and for all. I look forward to continuing this important work alongside Governor Pritzker and my colleagues in the General Assembly.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 21 state budget into law Wednesday:

“When we passed the budget, we included funding for many important services for those who are struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. At the time, we didn’t know that we were only a few weeks away from widespread protests against systemic inequality and a global fight for justice. While this budget doesn’t directly address any of the issues that demonstrators are protesting against, it does provide support to the vulnerable people that many are marching in support of. It boosts funding for mental health and substance abuse programs and provides nearly $400 million in rent and mortgage payment relief, as well as offering many other different types of assistance to the families that need it the most.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham is pleased that the budget signed into law today by Gov. JB Pritzker funds critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic for Fiscal Year 2021.

“These are uncertain times, but the budget that was signed into law today will provide stability for the people of Illinois,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “It’s critical that we ensure the services Illinois families need remain available while our state recovers from this pandemic.”

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois has seen record levels of unemployment, causing challenges for the state’s unemployment insurance system. In response, the budget provides nearly $60 million to the Illinois Department of Employment Security to help them respond to the increasing demand.

“The job losses we have seen over the last few months are unprecedented, and our unemployment system has struggled to keep up with skyrocketing claim numbers,” Cunningham said. “This funding is essential to protecting Illinois families during this crisis and providing workers with resources to get them back to work as soon as possible.”

The budget also provides significant investment in public health to help Illinois recover from COVID-19, including an additional $600 million for the Illinois Department of Public Health and an additional $400 million for local health departments throughout the state. The plan also includes a funding increase for Medicaid to ensure everyone can access the health care they need during this crisis.

“This budget recognizes the importance of supporting our state and local health departments as we guide Illinois through this emergency,” Cunningham said. “This additional funding will be critical to helping public health officials keep families safe.”

SPRINGFIELD — Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) looks forward to the relief the new budget legislation will bring following its signing by the governor this morning.

“This was unlike any other budget process given the unprecedented essentials funding required for the many services needed to respond and recover from COVID-19’s after effects,” Holmes said. “Education, human services, job recovery, infrastructure and public safety all needed immediate attention to get our people and institutions back on their feet and the economy back on track, and we pulled this together in a bipartisan manner.”

Holmes led the Senate Working Group on unemployment, which was a cooperative effort including input from labor and business groups.

“We’ve provided the Department of Employment Security with nearly $60 million in additional funding to help address the challenges with the unemployment system,” Holmes said. “I’ve heard from dozens of constituents who’ve had problems registering and receiving their benefits; this will help the agency increase the number of workers to help aid residents in navigating the unemployment system and process claims faster.”

Holmes also lauded the budget for ensuring the state will make its full pension payment commitment as planned. It is a cornerstone of ongoing efforts to address our underfunded pension systems, without taking away from COVID-19 recovery needs.

“People in the 42nd District need consistency and peace of mind right now, and the COVID-19 recovery budget items will provide help for those needing it.”

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor signed the budget on Wednesday:

“My colleagues and I went back to Springfield with the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic heavy on our shoulders. We strived to pass a budget that would maintain our core services while also directing resources to help communities and businesses who have been devastated as a result of the virus.

“This budget does exactly that by preserving P-12 education with a $12.6 billion investment.

“We are using funds from the CARES Act stimulus package to provide more resources to communities who are struggling during the pandemic. That includes $100 million in housing assistance and $636 million in business interruption grants.

“And to protect our communities during this health crisis, $1 billion dollars will go to our local and state health departments.

“The budget was extremely difficult to craft in these unprecedented times, but I believe it will provide desperately needed relief to communities as we continue on a path toward recovery.”

Senate Bill 264 takes effect July 1.

CHICAGO - State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to the signing of the state’s fiscal year 2021 budget by Governor JB Pritzker:

“This budget will go a long way toward mending the health and economic damages caused by the current pandemic, which have been largely concentrated in black communities I represent. Additionally, it will help protect the health and well-being of older Illinoisans and people with disabilities by strengthening the Community Care Program and the Home Services Program, which are key to our fight against COVID-19.

“While it will take bold investments for years to come to close the vast racial health inequities further exposed by the pandemic, this budget lays the groundwork by expanding funding for Medicaid and community health centers. I appreciate Governor Pritzker recognizing that critical need, and I hope he will continue to make these disparities a priority when we return to Springfield.”