Rep. Barbara Hernandez Calls for Continued Focus on Jobs, Tax Relief After Governor’s State of the State

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, released the following statement in response to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State address on Wednesday:

“This coming weeks will be an opportunity to continue addressing the challenges facing our community, and building a stronger Illinois. That begins by continuing to enact honest, balanced budgets. We must also remain focused on building an economy that works for all by expanding career and vocational education in our schools. We need to make health care more affordable and stand against pharmaceutical and insurance corporations that use patients’ medical needs to leech money from hard-working Illinoisans. Health care is a human right, not a bargaining chip for powerful interests to deny you when you need it most.

“Illinois homeowners have been bearing the weight of a heavy tax burden for too long, and we need to lighten the load. I will continue to work for more exemptions and rebates for the people who need it most, such as seniors and middle-class families, but we have to have transparent, taxpayer-led reform to get rid of duplicative units of government and expand relief for everyone.

“I look forward to working with Governor Pritzker and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle continue filling good-paying job openings and expanding education opportunities. The priorities of the people I represent are always my priorities, and their concerns are my concerns, and I am still commited to building a stronger Illinois.”