Ortíz-Backed Budget Plan Slashes Waste, Funds Public Safety and Senior Priorities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, passed a balanced budget plan on Saturday that cuts unnecessary government spending, supports law enforcement and senior services while preparing for future chaos from Washington.

“Families work far too hard and keep far too little of their paycheck to see federal officials more worried about keeping Donald Trump happy than solving problems. With our recent budget, we moved with the urgency Illinoisans should come to expect, and we delivered a budget that truly puts them first.

“Our top priority was making government work smarter—streamlining $193 million in agency operations. Instead of letting that go to waste, we reinvested those savings directly into the services our communities count on every day: funding law enforcement recruitment and equipment, supporting in-home care for seniors, and strengthening public education. And we did it all without asking families to pay more.”

“We smartly invested in free community clinics, so that families get the care they need. We fully funded public education, ensuring kids can graduate and find a good-paying job that supports their families. And, we created an emergency fund to sustain federally-supported services if Washington doesn’t get its act together.

Ortíz passed several pieces of legislation to support local families, including providing assistance to young professionals seeking careers in child welfare (Senate Bill 409) and expanding FAFSA support to more students (House Bill 3096, House Bill 3097).

“We couldn’t have done this work without families like those in my Southwest Side community, who made their voices heard. I am honored to represent the best and brightest Illinois has to offer, and I’m committed to fighting for them, whatever comes our way.”