D’Amico: State Budget Prioritizes Essential Workers, Services during COVID-19 Public Health Crisis

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, released the following statement upon adjournment of the legislative session:

“I want to highlight the importance of continuing to thank our first responders who are continuing their heroics every day. The frontline workers in our community are facing serious risks to keep us safe and healthy, and keep critical services like pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations and more running. We owe it to them to have their backs, just like they have had ours.

“The public health crisis we continue to face has changed our everyday lives in many ways. It disrupted the livelihoods of working families all over this state and has pushed our local economies into free fall. That is why, in Springfield, we provided a guarantee that essential services will continue uninterrupted for those who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.

“COVID-19 also challenges older adults who are also required to regularly reapply for tax exemptions, we worked to create a one-year application deferral for seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities. This will ensure homeowners can continue receiving these exemptions without going through an especially difficult reapplication process.

“Together, we finalized a responsible budget that prioritizes our most critical services including public health, our local schools, job training programs and services for our seniors. We are still faced with many challenges ahead and this budget is a step in the right direction to helping address our state’s economic recovery.”