Harper Responds to Pritzker Budget Address, Looks Ahead to Priorities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, released the following statement after Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s annual budget address Wednesday:

“As a new budgeting process begins, it’s important that we reflect on the challenges that residents across Chicago and across our state face. It’s critical that we prioritize investing in education and job-training programs, as well as critical services that are still recovering from the budget impasse. We have a moral obligation to ensure that lifesaving services like medical care, senior care and domestic violence shelters have the resources they need.

“It’s critically important to me that we make investments in our education system, not just on the local level, but also with our universities so that residents have an opportunity to earn a degree and pursue the career they want. We also have to make sure that the state is able to pay down old bills, fund our pension promises and take steps to provide property tax relief for families.

“There are tough decisions ahead, but I am hopeful that we will be able to pass a balanced approach that prioritizes the people of our state now and moving forward.”