Conroy Responds to Rauner’s State of the State Address

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Deb Conroy, D – Villa Park, issued the following statement in response to Governor Rauner’s State of the State address on Wednesday:

“This afternoon, the governor asserted that Democrats and Republicans must work together and solve the budget crisis. I wholeheartedly agree that this should be our number one priority and sincerely hope that he is willing to put that talk into action by reinstating the bipartisan budget working groups. It’s urgent that Illinois legislators finally negotiate a compromise and put Illinois back on track.

“Over the past 19 months, people in our community have been held hostage to an extreme agenda that has restricted some of our most vulnerable neighbors from access to vital mental health and drug counseling services, jeopardized the future of the MAP grant program that helps our brightest college students prepare for successful careers, and forced thousands of Illinois seniors to wonder where they will receive their next hot meal.

“I believe that we can create jobs and grow our state’s economy without cutting wages and stripping away protections from our middle class. I remain dedicated to fighting for reforms that will lift up working families and level the playing field for small businesses while ensuring that our local schools, critical human services, and infrastructure receive the funding needed so our community can thrive.”