Harper Calls on Governor to Focus on Fair and Balanced Budget

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, issued the following statement on Gov. Rauner’s State of the State Address:

“I was sent to Springfield to fight for the people in my district, not focus on dismantling workers’ rights and their benefits. As a result of inaction on the governor’s part, people throughout the state have been forced to live without a fair and balanced budget. The governor needs to restart bipartisan working groups so we can negotiate in good faith.

“Illinois needs reforms that both protect the wages of the working class while also providing small businesses the opportunity to compete in an economy where large corporations dominate. We should provide tax relief for the middle class through initiatives like increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit and raising the minimum wage to increase take home pay for working families. We can also do more to make Illinois, and Chicago especially, more competitive by leveling the playing field for medium and small sized businesses to grow jobs. We need to eliminate the corporate tax loopholes that big businesses that ship jobs overseas enjoy and reinstate the EDGE tax credit to help new businesses create more jobs.

“Most importantly, we need to invest more in education. For far too long our schools have seen their resources fade and close. A place to start is to enact a millionaire surcharge so we can help our students receive a better education. The revenue from the surcharge would help fund schools to provide students with more opportunities to succeed in the classroom.

“I am hopeful that we can work together to ensure that we pass policies that protect working families from agendas that are designed to only help those at the top. The state cannot afford to be a part of this race to the bottom, but rather should be focusing on improving the economy for everyone.”

Harper represents the 6th District which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Marquette Park, Canaryville, Back of the Yards, New City and West Englewood in the city of Chicago.