Flowers: Health, Economic Prosperity Key to Building a Stronger Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, issued the following statement in response to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State address on Wednesday:

“Over the past year, we have made tremendous investments to improve the quality of life of residents across our state. With the governor’s support, we raised the minimum wage to create new economic opportunities for working families, capped the price of life-saving prescription drugs and strengthened protections for pregnant women to ensure their precious babies are born into this world healthy and safe.

“My commitment is and has always been to do what is right for our community. This means passing balanced budgets that prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable and improving access to health care services, so that no one has to choose between filling a prescription and paying their bills. It also means expanding access to education and job training programs, so people have a path to a stable, high-paying career and can provide for their loved ones. Residents deserve better than persistent uncertainty in their daily lives, and we have an opportunity now to reflect on how we can continue building a stronger Illinois in which all families can succeed.

“From here, my focus is on continuing to support growth and prosperity in our communities, and to lift up those who have been wronged by injustice. I look forward to the work that lies ahead.”