Mason Responds to Governor’s Budget Address, Calls for Robust, Responsible COVID-19 Relief

GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, issued the following statement in response to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget address Wednesday:

“In creating this year’s budget, we have many difficult decisions to make. This pandemic has wreaked financial havoc on nearly every part of our economy. Countless residents and organizations in my district are looking to Springfield for meaningful relief. During such an unprecedented crisis, it’s never been more important for us to deliver that to them.  

“I pledge to fight relentlessly to ensure this year’s budget includes wide-reaching COVID-19 relief for those in need. That means making sure our spending plan includes sweeping rent and mortgage assistance so that families aren’t forced out of their homes and landlords aren’t put out of business. It also means ensuring we include small business relief initiatives to prevent additional job loss, as well as funding for critical human service providers to make sure our most vulnerable residents can continue to access the help they need.

“This pandemic has laid bare so many of the inequities that haunt our society, including in our schools. We need to adequately fund education to ensure underserved districts do not fall farther behind, and ensure all teachers and students have safe classrooms.  

“As vaccines become more widely available and the end of this crisis finally comes into focus, we have to remember the economic impact of this crisis will be felt by our state long after the pandemic is over. So this year especially, we have to ensure our budget does not spend money we don’t have. 

“I look forward to working with the governor and my fellow legislators to pass an effective, responsible budget for the next fiscal year.”