“Through my work at a nonprofit organization that serves under-resourced youth, I felt the impacts of Rauner’s budget crisis every day. Listening to Governor Pritzker’s address today gave me hope that Illinois is on the path to rebuilding our schools, social service network and infrastructure.

“I am particularly glad to know that Governor Pritzker has committed to developing a capital bill to fund the revitalization of our state’s crumbling infrastructure. Just last week crews discovered that the Lake Shore Drive Bridge, located in the 26th District, has become so structurally unsafe that it was immediately shut down. The 100,000 people who rely on that road to get to school, work and home every day were put in danger because the government neglected to do its job.

“Unfortunately there are thousands of roads, bridges and structures in the state that are in even worse condition than the Lake Shore Drive Bridge. With Chicago serving as the economic engine of our region, I’m looking forward to negotiating a budget to make Illinois an accessible and safe place to travel.”

The 26th District contains all or parts of Bronzeville, Gold Coast, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, South Chicago, South Loop, South Shore, Streeterville and Woodlawn.