Rep. Nabeela Syed Responds to Budget Address, Prioritizes Reproductive Rights, Prescription Drug Affordability

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Nabeela Syed, D-Palatine, issued the following statement in response to Governor Pritzker’s State of the State address on Wednesday:

“From paying back bills early and saving hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to replenishing billions into our rainy-day fund, Illinois has been taking every measure to get its fiscal house in order. That has paid significant dividends, as shown by the six credit ratings increases Illinois has gotten from major financial institutions in the past year. Illinois’ fiscal foundation is rock solid, and that invites opportunities to take major strides on the issues that matter most to our community.

“Prescription drug affordability is one such issue. Dollars that families should be able to spend on teaching their children a new instrument or trying another sport are instead going to pad the profit margins of pharmaceutical corporations. The persistent price gouging of Illinois’ working people, who are held hostage by the need for lifesaving medications, has to stop. In my position on the Prescription Drug Affordability committee, I’ll take a leading role in making policy to prevent that. However, it is also vital that this budget put substantial funding towards making prescription drugs more affordable, especially for those with low and fixed incomes.

“Reproductive freedom also needs to be backed up by a combination of lawmaking and a substantial appropriation of funding. Clinics in underserved areas, and especially on our borders, will need the money to provide their services to pregnant people from outside our state seeking care. Illinois can maintain its position as a beacon for human rights only if we extend that everyone who needs help.

“I am glad that Governor Pritzker has prioritized these issues in his budget proposal. I look forward to critical examination of the proposal and crafting a final budget that continues to keep our state on the right track.”