Crespo, Latino Caucus Respond to Governor’s Address

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, co-chair of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, issued the following statement after the governor’s State of the State Address:

“For three years, the governor has time and time again ignored his duties, and blamed everyone else but himself for his inability to work across the aisle. It took Democrats and Republicans to come together—despite the governor’s objections—to pass a balanced budget that funds the programs and services that help Latino families succeed.

“As members of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, our priorities are to make sure that working families have equal access to jobs and economic opportunity, education, quality health care, and social supports. Yet, while Donald Trump forced through his tax hike on working families and attempted to snatch health care coverage away from millions of Illinoisans, Governor Rauner stayed silent. When Donald Trump eliminated the DACA program and has since attempted to fuel hatred and fear towards Illinois’ 42,000 DREAMers, Governor Rauner has stayed silent.

“Illinois is our home and we want to maintain the state’s role as a leader of Latino advancement; but we cannot do that with a governor who lacks the courage to speak up on behalf of his citizens. It’s time for Governor Rauner to recognize that he is in charge, and start acting like it. There is a lot of work to be done and we are committed to work cooperatively to ensure that this year’s agenda addresses the issues that will improve our communities and ensure that every child has a clear path to a bright future.”