Kifowit Approves Bipartisan, Balanced Budget, Urges Governor to Work with Legislators

AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, released the following statement following the approval of a bipartisan, balanced full-year budget:

“For almost three that the state has been without a budget, we have seen the courts force excessive payments grow the back log to historically high levels and caused extreme damage to our social service agencies, school districts and universities throughout the state. Many of those people impacted were individuals with disabilities, seniors, students, victims of domestic violence and veterans.

“This budget impasse has gone on for far too long. That is why I joined my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to approve a responsible and balanced budget for the full fiscal year. This budget that was passed cut current state spending by $3.9 billion and is $1 billion less than the governor’s proposed budget.  It also includes significant repayment of the backlog of bills.

“Over the past several months, I have worked to find a compromise on many of the governor’s demands, including updating the school funding formula, enacting workers’ compensation reforms, consolidation of our many governmental units, selling of the Thompson Center, changing the way the state can purchase goods and pension reform by creating a Tier 3 hybrid system.  Governor Rauner needs to come to the table and work with legislators on both sides of the aisle on passing these reforms.

“The work of Democrats and Republicans by coming together in a bipartisan manner, to pass this budget needs to continue to address the other challenges facing the state. I am hopeful that the passage of this budget is the first of many pieces of legislation that will help Illinois get back on the right track.”

For more information on these or other events, please visit www.ILDistrict84.com, or contact Kifowit’s constituent service office at 630-585-1308 or by email at Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.