Willis Backs Lifeline Budget to Provide Funds for Human Services, Higher Education

NORTHLAKE, Ill. – In an effort to prevent human service providers from shutting their doors and to keep the state’s public universities afloat, state Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, recently worked to move a “lifeline budget” out of the Illinois House.

“Legislators on both sides of the aisle spend a lot of time talking about the devastation the budget crisis is causing to their communities; this measure presents an opportunity to take action,” Willis said. “For almost two years, students and human service providers have been held hostage to the impasse. While the lifeline is not a replacement for a full budget, it’s a necessary step to stop our state’s most vulnerable from having to pay the price of Governor Rauner’s political games.”

House Bill 109 grants the authority to provide funding for domestic violence shelters, senior meal programs and breast cancer screening services. Additionally, state universities and the MAP grant program would receive desperately needed funding. The measure passed with 64 votes – all House Democrats.

“The budget has been held up for far too long by Governor Rauner’s anti-worker agenda that only serves to help the wealthiest in the state at the expense of middle class families, students and those who rely on social services,” Willis said. “People in communities throughout Illinois will continue to suffer without funding for the services covered by the lifeline budget.”

For more information, please contact Willis’ full-time constituent service office at 708-562-6970 or email RepWillis77@gmail.com.