Benton Passes Compassionate, Responsible Budget, Forward-Looking Reforms as Spring Session Ends

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, passed a compassionate and responsible budget that braces Illinois against the chaos and uncertainty caused by Washington, with targeted cuts and efficiencies that maintain core government programs and initiatives without burdening working families.

“This was an especially challenging budget year because of the situation in Washington,” Benton said. “But, despite that, I’m proud to report that we have a balanced and socially responsible budget that helps to insulate us from the effects of an irresponsible, partisan administration.”

The Benton-backed budget includes $193 million in operational cuts among other savings and efficiencies. These dollars are redirected to better support family priorities, including new investments in schools and healthcare. The forward-thinking measure also includes reserve funds that can be tapped if future decisions in Washington cause additional economic strain in Illinois.

Throughout this session, Benton championed working families and working-class communities, supporting funding for programs critical to them and opposing those that would have raised costs or resulted in unsupportable cuts. He also led the way in cutting red tape that was raising the cost of child care for military servicemembers stationed in Illinois by sending House Bill 3444—a measure to exempt Defense Department certified childcare providers on Illinois military bases from redundant state regulations—to the governor’s desk.

In addition, Benton supported generational reforms to pharmacy benefit manager regulations, a measure aimed at better addressing the burden of rising property taxes, increased wages for critical direct service and in-home care professionals, promoting safe gun storage, maintaining support for first responders and public safety, supporting after-school programs and funding community-based violence prevention.

“This was a potential crisis, but we put our heads down, worked the issues and ended up with a budget designed to help our state weather any future difficulties,” Benton said. “We did what Washington should be doing, and the result is that we’re free to continue building a brighter future for everyone in our state.”