Gong-Gershowitz Responds to Budget Address, Addresses Human Rights Crisis at the Border

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – I am encouraged by the pragmatic budget that the Governor outlined today. The core priorities of this budget – funding public education, improving healthcare, and expanding access to childcare for working families within the context of a balanced budget – are key to addressing the medium- and long-term needs of Illinois.

In the immediate term, as Chair of the New Arrivals Working Group, I am laser-focused on working towards solutions – not rhetoric – that will meet the very human needs driven by a crisis at the border that is unfortunately and frustratingly outside of our control as a state government. A lasting solution to this crisis must come from the federal level.

If the Governor of Texas refuses to stop his policy of recklessly shipping people to Illinois like human cargo –with no winter clothing or place to go – Illinois must call on the federal government to claw back the funds Texas receives for their role in managing the situation at the border.

Texas is not only failing to meet its responsibility but is intentionally creating a humanitarian crisis to score cheap political points. The funds clawed back should be distributed to states managing this crisis with responsibility and humanity, where those federal dollars will be better spent.