Mussman Passes Balanced Budget, Spotlights Early Education

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is highlighting steps to support public safety, healthcare, and improve education from cradle to career while holding the line on taxes for families.

“I’ve worked hard to bring our community’s needs to the Statehouse, and I look forward to continuing that work,” said Mussman. “This year’s balanced budget allows us to expand essential services for our hard-working families by pouring funds into public safety, education, and slashing healthcare costs, ensuring that no family gets left behind when seeking affordable, quality care and services no matter where they reside in the state.”

Continuing her effort to rebuild Illinois’ fiscal house, Mussman passed a new state budget that looks line-by-line through spending to cut nearly $75 million in administrative costs in order to invest state resources in services local families value while growing the state’s rainy day fund.

Mussman took significant steps to help cut the cost of living as well. A new $50 million child tax credit will help families with modest incomes face rising costs, while a $10 million state investment will eliminate $1 billion in family medical debt. Mussman voted to eliminate a state sales tax on groceries, and give local governments more tools to get serious about property tax relief.

As chairperson of the Elementary and Secondary Education committee, Mussman was integral in securing key funding for education. Mussman prioritized new investments in early childhood education, creating new opportunities for 5,000 of Illinois’ youngest learners. She also supported $350 million more for elementary and secondary schools, and additional access to college financial aid such as MAP Grants.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the obstacles more and more school districts face. I’m pleased that we’ve hit the ground running in boosting efficiencies in our state education, including a central hub for early education, ensuring that all parents and students — no matter where they reside in the state — have equitable access to information and resources as they navigate their child’s first years of schooling,” said Mussman. “Every child deserves access to a world-class education, and every parent deserves the reassurance that their child is in good hands. I look forward to working with families in my community to ensure our classrooms are the best of the best.”

Mussman also prioritized public safety in the state budget, making smart investments in community-based approaches to violence prevention and taking steps to ensure police have the resources they need to combat crime. Mussman voted to hire and train 200 new state troopers and help local departments recruit and retain officers. As suburban libraries and religious organizations also see increasing threats of violence, Mussman worked to create new protections for library workers, and new state resources to combat hate crimes. 

Additional highlights of Mussman’s legislative priorities this session include:

• Improving Medicaid access for those living with developmental disabilities by establishing a subcommittee to develop policies for expanding Medicaid provider networks to improve efficiency, accessibility, and quality of care.
• Creating equitable classrooms by establishing more parity between funding for high-cost special education students attending either a separate public or non-public special education day school.
• Improving seniors’ quality of life by ensuring front-line caseworkers can intercede more quickly in cases of senior neglect, protecting vulnerable older adults from harm.