Hoffman Reacts to Budget, Highlights Efforts to Support Working Family Priorities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, supported a balanced state budget Wednesday that increases school funding, supports first responders and encourages job creation. 

“This budget aims to make state government more efficient, while responsibly focusing our resources on matters families care about – including local schools and public safety,” Hoffman said. “From early childhood through college, this is a smart plan that is going to help our kids unlock their potential.”

Under the passed budget, the state is adding another $350 million toward K-12 education, while increasing support to early childhood education programs to enable more families to participate. More older adults will be able to receive in-home care through the Community Care Program, and millions more is being dedicated for state and local police departments to hire more officers.

In addition to the budget, Hoffman spearheaded numerous noteworthy initiatives this session, including:

• Targeting catalytic converter theft by reclassifying the part and applying enhanced tracking and state record laws that address hijacking and vehicle theft (House Bill 4589),
• Strengthening “Scott’s Law” to encourage motorists to slow down and move over when navigating construction zones and emergency scenes (House Bill 5370), and
• Establishing the regulatory framework needed to bring “carbon capture” to Illinois – a significant job creation effort that will also help to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere (Senate Bill 1289).

Hoffman also backed a major health care insurance reform plan that will drive down costs for families, expand access to care and put important health care decisions back into the hands of doctors and patients by eliminating counterproductive “step therapy” requirements (House Bill 5395).

 

“When we’re good stewards with the budget, we can more effectively address the challenges facing communities in the Metro East,” Hoffman said. “I appreciate the feedback I received from residents back home, their voice was important in the development of this final agreement. This is a good document that is going to pay dividends not just now, but for years to come.”