D’Amico to Focus on Protecting Education, Critical Services, During New Legislative Session

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, issued the following statement after Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State address Wednesday:

“Last spring, we passed a major infrastructure bill, eased the burden on small and medium-sized businesses by listening to the state’s leading business groups instead of fighting them, and implemented a balanced and bipartisan budget that provided $350 million in new funding for schools. We did all this after establishing new job training programs for workers, while putting us on the path to making millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share through a Fair Tax.

“There’s a lot of challenges still needing to be addressed and I’ve never been more excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work. Members of both parties have every reason to agree on common sense reforms like closing loopholes on lobbyists and corrupt politicians who choose to abuse the system. Transparent government is accountable government, and every Illinoisan deserves peace of mind that their elected officials is not trying to or able to enrich themselves at the taxpayers’ expense.

“The issues that matter most to the people I represent are real-world issues like making sure that our healthcare system is affordable, efficient and effective. Families should not go bankrupt because of unexpected and unreasonable health and prescription drug costs. Real, tangible property tax relief is what the people of 15th district want, not any toothless political ploys from either party.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve the residents of the community I have chosen to call home and raise a family. I look forward to addressing the challenges families in Illinois face so that we can build a stronger Illinois.”