Mason Outlines Legislative Agenda for Second Term

GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, issued the following statement after being sworn into the 102nd Illinois General Assembly today:

“As this pandemic approaches its one-year mark, passing additional COVID-19 relief is more important than ever. I’m committed to getting critically-needed aid into the hands of struggling residents and business owners. I’m also determined to pass additional legislation to uplift health care workers, first responders and other essential frontline employees. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their courage and sacrifices, and it’s incumbent upon us to support them in any way we can.

“In doing all of this, we have to keep fiscal responsibility at the forefront. This pandemic has caused serious damage to our state’s revenue streams. We must pass additional relief measures to help our economy make it through this crisis, but to achieve this, we will have to make difficult budgetary decisions to ensure we aren’t spending money we don’t have.

“Last year, we had to postpone most of our regular legislative session due to the pandemic. As a result, I have many bills from the previous General Assembly that were put on hold last spring that I am eager to get back to work on. Residents of my district are ready to see more job training programs, ethics and lobbying reform, expanded veterans’ resources, greater funding for public education, the end of ethylene oxide pollution in our region and more meaningful property tax relief for homeowners. 

“I pledge to spend my next two years in office fighting relentlessly for the needs of my community in Springfield. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass critical coronavirus relief to help residents and businesses weather this challenging time and to passing measures that will allow my district to thrive after this pandemic. The problems we are facing are unprecedented and daunting, but I am prepared to do what it takes to resolve them and support my community through this difficult time.”