* Posted in the order they were received. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias…

I applaud Governor Pritzker for laying out a budget plan that is committed to serving all Illinoisans – especially children, vulnerable populations and the hard-working men and women of organized labor. The Governor’s foresight and commitment to modernization will empower state employees while improving the delivery of services. As Secretary of State, I share this vision. Employing new technology to improve the lives of Illinoisans and eliminating the “Time Tax” is my top priority.

* Dr. Brent Clark, IASA Executive Director…

The Teacher Pipeline Pilot Program proposed in today’s State of the State/Budget Address by Gov. JB Pritzker is an extremely encouraging development for school districts across our state struggling to attract and retain quality teachers.

Gov. Pritzker proposed a first-of-its-kind, three-year pilot program that, if approved by the Illinois General Assembly, directs $70 million per year to school districts with the greatest need to fill teaching positions based on the Illinois State Board of Education’s Unfilled Positions report (the report includes Administrative, School Support Personnel, and Teaching).

According to the 2023 Unfilled Positions Survey data, 80 percent of the unfilled positions for this school year are located in 170 school districts. The three-year pilot program is targeted to those 170 school districts, which collectively have more than 2,800 unfilled teaching positions for FY23. Of the identified districts, 60 percent are in rural areas and 40 percent are located in urban areas.

IASA has a rich tradition of supporting local control and this proposal provides school districts with the flexibility they need to find solutions in their communities. School districts eligible for these funds will be able to use the dollars to come up with innovative ways to attract and retain teachers in their districts, including offering bonuses and strengthening pipeline programs.

As we know, a one-size-fits all solution rarely works in Illinois. This idea allows for the necessary innovation and flexibility school districts need to make strides toward alleviating a multi-faceted problem. I commend the Governor’s Office for listening to the concerns of school administrators and proposing a thoughtful, and impactful, plan to help school districts across our state attract and retain quality educators.

* IL Chamber…

The State of Illinois weathered the fiscal disruption of the pandemic with a combination of federal assistance and generally prudent state budgets. While the current budget situation is good, we always have concerns about whether the budget proposals will build new permanent spending into the budget that the state will have difficulty in honoring when the inevitable economic downturns occur. Fiscal restraint when times are good will prepare the state for the bad times.

We are gratified by the Governor’s continued support of incentive programs designed to promote new and existing Illinois businesses, including the data center tax incentives, drafted by the Illinois Chamber.

* Sen. Sims…

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. – the Senate’s Appropriations Leader – released the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker laid the groundwork of his Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal:

“Throughout recent years – and despite the turmoil that was brought forth due to the pandemic – Illinois has put itself in the greatest financial situation it has seen in years. As a General Assembly, we have a responsibility to continue on a path of fiscal stability by passing a balanced budget that prioritizes the people, groups and agencies that need the most help.

“In the months to come, I will use my position as the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair to negotiate a budget that solves the pressing economic problems facing our low- and middle-income families through education, small business and public safety initiatives.”

* House Minority Leader Tony McCombie…

“Today we heard a long list of expensive promises totaling $2.7 billion in new spending, when the Governor himself projects revenue to be down $1.42 billion. This will require future tax increases or cuts to vital programs serving our most vulnerable.”

* IFT…

Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery issued this statement today following Governor Pritzker’s annual budget address.

“Today, Governor Pritzker has proven once again that he places the needs of Illinois’ students and working families above all else.

“IFT applauds Governor Pritzker for his steadfast commitment to our PreK-12 public schools and his continued work toward fully funding the Evidence-Based Model (EBM). He made significant strides towards this goal in his first term, and prioritizing the $350 million increase for EBM in FY24 puts us another step closer to ensuring that every child in Illinois – no matter their skin color or zip code – has access to an equal, high-quality education.

“The governor has also proposed the largest increase in higher education funding in over two decades. The planned $100 million increase would help public colleges and universities stabilize operations and address enrollment issues that have resulted from the pandemic. College affordability continues to be an issue for too many students, so the IFT is happy to see the governor again put forward a substantial increase for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) to help lower-income students.

“The teacher and school staff shortage is having a dramatic impact on states across the nation and Illinois is no exception. IFT echoes the governor’s concerns about this shortage from PreK to higher education and is committed to working with him to help pass and implement his proposed three-year, $70 million pilot program to help districts with the most severe shortages attract and retain teachers. We know that long term solutions to this problem must also improve teacher compensation, retirement benefits, and support for educators of color.

“We appreciate the governor’s continued commitment to pay the state’s pension obligations and ensure that our educators and state workers can retire with dignity and security after a lifetime of public service. It is an important aspect of the governor’s continuing sound fiscal management, which has improved Illinois’ economic climate and credit rating.

“IFT looks forward to continuing our work with the governor and lawmakers this session to achieve our common goals on behalf of the students, citizens, and Illinois communities we proudly serve.”

* Economic Security for Illinois…

Erion Malasi, Policy and Advocacy Director for Economic Security for Illinois, an affiliate of Economic Security Project, released the following statement regarding Governor Pritker’s State of the State and Budget Address speech:

“We were disappointed to learn that Governor Pritzker’s proposed budget fails to include a plan to create an Illinois Child Tax Credit. Governor Pritzker has built a reputation, and a record, as a champion for tax policies that benefit working families and middle class Illinoisans. But we must do more to balance the scales on behalf of Illinois families. With costs of living rising and Congress failing to pass an expanded Child Tax Credit, we must enact policy solutions that put cash in the hands of those who need it most. A Child Tax Credit would do just that, moving us toward an inclusive, equitable, and family-friendly tax system, and furthering the Governor’s stated goal to “make our state the best place in the nation to raise young children.”

We now turn to the Illinois General Assembly to meet the urgent needs of Illinois families. The General Assembly provided a tax credit for working families during last year’s legislative session, and can once again lower the tax burden on middle class and working families while ushering in a more equitable future for all Illinoisans. The time to create an Illinois Child Tax Credit is now.”

* Sen. Mike Simmons…

“I am pleased to see that today’s budget proposal recommends funding to address homelessness, expand access to healthcare, early childhood and other investments.

“However, more funding is still needed to help historically underserved communities grappling with the continuing HIV and AIDS crisis and for Black-led community organizations to help with this issue.

“In the weeks ahead, I look forward to working with the governor and my fellow lawmakers to ask pointed questions during hearings and to negotiate a budget that helps working class families meet their needs, provides more funds towards transportation safety for pedestrians and cyclists, expands access to healthcare for communities who are not well-served by the current healthcare system, and affordable housing. I look forward to continuing to negotiate these measures, which are absolutely necessary to support the people of Illinois.”

* IRMA…

“We applaud Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the General Assembly for the work they have undertaken in recent years to stabilize the state’s finances. We are encouraged by the governor’s proposed investments in workforce development and look forward to partnering with the administration and lawmakers to ensure this important and needed training benefits all of Illinois’ significant employment sectors,” said Rob Karr, President and CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “In addition, we look forward to working collaboratively to address the issue of ensuring access to grocery stores in communities across Illinois.”

* AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch…

      ”Governor Pritzker’s FY 24 budget plan has the potential to move our state forward on a number of fronts that are vital to improving the lives of public service employees and strengthening the services they provide.

      ”Expanding access to child care and higher education will aid working people who are struggling to pay their bills and ensure the best future for their children.

      ”Equally important to tens of thousands of state government employees is the governor’s recognition of the urgency of addressing the severe understaffing in state agencies. There’s a critical shortage of employees on the front lines, with an estimated 8,000 positions funded but unfilled. As AFSCME members know better than anyone, that acute shortage makes it much harder to protect kids, care for seniors, help people with disabilities, ensure safe prisons and provide all the other public services our communities need.

      ”Our union has offered many ideas to improve recruitment and called for eliminating bureaucratic barriers to hiring. We look forward to working together with the administration to solve this crisis and ensure that state employees have the tools and support they need to do the work of state government safely and well.

      ”In addition, negotiations are underway toward a new collective bargaining agreement between the state and our union. AFSCME represents some 35,000 state employees who have continued to strive daily throughout the challenges presented by these pandemic years to maintain all of the operations of state government. They deserve a contract that provides for adequate staffing, fair pay, affordable health care, and dignity in retirement, and we’re committed to reaching an agreement that accomplishes those goals. Doing so will help ensure that job seekers see public service as an attractive career path, helping state agencies recruit and retain the frontline staff they need.

      ”We are also very pleased that Gov. Pritzker has proposed more funding for state universities, making an additional payment to state retirement systems for the second year in a row, and providing pay increases for disability caregivers. Once we have had the opportunity to review the governor’s full plan, there will undoubtedly be further areas of agreement–and some concerns. We stand ready to work with the administration and lawmakers to address those areas and to help enact a budget that can make Illinois a better state for all.”

* IMA…

“Illinois’ financial position has improved immensely over the past four years, and we commend the Governor for his focus on improving the state’s finances, building a Rainy Day Fund, and working with the business community to eliminate the $4 billion debt in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Today’s focus on early childhood education and strengthening our state’s workforce systems will help ensure our long-term economic success because we must invest in people – especially the Illinois manufacturing sector, which contributes the single largest share to our state’s Gross Domestic Product,” said Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “However, we must also be cautious about creating new, long-term spending at a time when government forecasting shows a projected deficit in future years. Manufacturers look forward to working with the Governor and lawmakers to put in place a new spending plan that will drive our state forward.”

…Adding… Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock (D-Villa Park)…

“I look forward to reviewing the governor’s budget proposal as we work to develop a responsible budget the understands the concerns facing families throughout our community.

“While I am encouraged that our state has better credit ratings, eliminated a lot of bad debt and has paid even more into the pensions than mandated, there is still a lot of work still ahead. We must continue to take a balanced financial approach that enables us to better invest in education, public safety and critical services that residents depend on – including health care, senior programs, and economic efforts that support small businesses.

“Our budget should reflect our values as a state, and as other parts of the country take aim at reproductive freedoms it’s important that we include support for reproductive health access.

“Investment in early childhood and education will result in continuing benefits to our state by developing a competitive workforce to attract and sustain economic development. We must be cognizant that not every investment will produce instant results and that we must plan for the long term well-being of our state.

“Today marks the beginning of our budget process, and I look forward to engaging with local residents and stakeholders on crafting a final plan that helps our area families with the challenges they face every day.”

* Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva)…

“In response to the glaring issues which Illinois faces – sky high property taxes, endless regulations, and other unnecessary costs – Governor Pritzker is proposing new spending on Illinois’ budgetary house of cards. This budget proposal will do nothing but hinder our terrible climate for job creators and cause Illinois families to find moving trucks out of our unaffordable state.”

* Illinois House Progressive Caucus…

“Illinois has made tremendous progress to help working families and those who have been left behind throughout Gov. JB Pritzker’s tenure as Governor. As he begins his second term and delivers his vision for the state today, the Illinois House Progressive Caucus stands firmly behind his plans to invest in our core priorities and the ongoing fight against injustice and discrimination.

“While we have made important strides forward, too many Illinoisans face great challenges. As pandemic aid ends and prices rise, the people we represent have trouble finding affordable food, childcare, housing, services for the most vulnerable in our communities, mental health services and healthcare. Immigrants and refugees continue to face dire uncertainty about how they will care for their families here. People need higher wages and more opportunities to live the dream we all deserve as Illinoisans and Americans.

“As we will outline in the coming weeks, our Progressive Caucus is committed to supporting an aggressive agenda of legislation and policy ideas this spring to take these issues head on and to build on the Governor’s vision. We look forward to working with Gov. Pritzker and our colleagues in the Legislature to put progressive ideas at the forefront of policies that make Illinois better today, and even better tomorrow.”

* Greg Kelley, President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois…

“As a union of frontline workers providing home care, child care and healthcare services, we applaud the Governor’s commitment to investing in crucial services in ways that will not only provide much-needed care to more families, but also help provide the economic stability that makes it possible for more workers to enter and stay in caring professions.

“The Governor’s $200 million investment in child care is particularly welcome—and timely. Investments to stabilize funding and increase wages, improve the Child Care Management System (CCMS), extend child care eligibility to job seekers, and to build a pipeline for apprenticeships and mentorship are key investments toward Child Care for All. The Governor rightly recognizes that making child care available for all who need it, with living wage jobs for child care workers, is a crucial foundation for economic growth that benefits all Illinoisans.

“While we acknowledge the necessary investments in the Community Care Program workforce in the current fiscal year, we need to make sure that we aren’t leaving seniors and people with disabilities behind. The proposed budget’s lack of investment in the home care workers who make it possible for seniors to stay in their homes may force some to forgo needed care or be forced into nursing homes.

“We look forward to working with the Governor and the legislature to build off of this proposed budget to ensure that home care and child care workers—and the crucial services they provide—are prioritized, and to advocate for the additional investment required to serve the needs of seniors and those who care for them.”

* Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont)…

“We are approaching the edge of a fiscal cliff in our state that will collapse when one-time federal funds and extra revenue from inflation dry up. Illinoisans deserve a government that spends their hard-earned money responsibly, one that makes a U-Turn before we reach the edge of this cliff. What also wasn’t mentioned in this budget address was real property tax relief, and I look forward to continue working across the aisle to provide this for the working class people of the 20th District.”

* Rep. Sonya M. Harper (D-Chicago)…

“Our state is in better fiscal shape than it has been in decades, but there is more work to be done. We passed and the governor signed both a cutting-edge criminal justice reform bill and a bold gun safety package.

“While positive steps have been taken, people still don’t have access to jobs, quality affordable housing and even fresh food in many parts of Chicago. We still see too much violence throughout our state and the resources needed to combat its root causes not going to the right entities. Sadly, all of these problems disproportionately affect communities like mine but, if we can create an equitable budget year after year and make sure it is fully implemented, we can improve the quality of life for so many who need it.

“I am confident that the governor agrees that these problems—especially the accompanying problem of inequality—are incompatible with his vision for a strong, safe and thriving Illinois. I look forward to working with him to continue advancing his smart and prosperity-focused agenda, while also continuing to ensure that the benefits of his policies are distributed fairly.”

* AARP Illinois State Director Philippe Largent…

On behalf of our 1.7 million members across the state, AARP Illinois commends Governor Pritzker for continuing his priority of passing balanced budgets and improving Illinois’ long-running fiscal challenges. The proposed Fiscal Year 2024 budget includes several measures that will help older adults from every part of Illinois who have, due to inflation, struggled with the overwhelming impact of rising food and housing costs access to essential services and to pay for increasingly high costs of health care and Rx drugs in the last year.
Proposals to fully fund the Community Care program, expand critical funding for the state’s home-delivered meals program and family caregiver resources, increase the asset limit for the Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) program, and pay down the pension deficit are important steps toward improving the well-being of those 50+ and their families.

But we still have a long way to go to make sure that those 50+ and their families have what they need to age comfortably and as they choose. We must also expand access to services to achieve equity in home and community-based care across the Community Care Program and Home Services Program, increase funding for case management and adult day service programs, pass a tax credit to support Illinois’ 1.5 million unpaid family caregivers, and raise the monthly grant level for the AABD program.

AARP Illinois looks forward to working alongside Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to achieve these important critical budget priorities and improve the health and well-being of those 50+ and their families.

* Rep. Kevin Olickal (D-Skokie)…

“Today’s address is the first step in crafting a budget that invests in the critical services our communities need most. My colleagues have made great strides in restoring Illinois’ fiscal stability by eliminating the backlog of unpaid bills, shoring up our rainy day fund, and earning our state’s first credit rating upgrades in decades. There is still much to be done to support working and middle class families and uplift underserved communities across the state.

“To best advocate for the needs of our community, I plan on thoroughly reviewing the budget and meeting with local leaders and stakeholders so that our community’s needs and priorities are being met. We must continue to fund key services like education and health care while setting Illinois up for long-term financial success and stability.

“Many tough decisions lie ahead, but I am confident that with continued collaboration and hard work, our future remains bright. I look forward to working in a bipartisan fashion to create a responsible, balanced budget that benefits all Illinoisans.”

* Technology & Manufacturing Association Executive Vice President Dennis LaComb…

“After 4 years of tax increases and burdensome regulations heaped on our members, we were desperately hoping for meaningful relief from Governor Pritzker as he begins his second term. But there was nothing but silence on relief, and more discussion of additional, expensive social programs that small and mid-sized manufacturers will need to fund.

“We do want to thank the Governor for responsibly using the federal COVID funds to pay down the unemployment trust fund debt as we had urged. We also thank the Governor for using those federal funds to pay down the bill backlog and put Illinois on a stronger financial footing. But we have a long way to go financially in Illinois as our state’s $140 billion in public pension debt continues to grow without reforms. As Comptroller Susana Mendoza said, now is not the time to increase spending on new programs – we should instead focus on paying our bills.

“Unfortunately, the Governor is planning to do the opposite. In his address today, he outlined hundreds of millions of dollars in new spending on new programs that will continue to increase our state’s debt and require new taxes by Illinois residents and business owners to fund. We fear a resurrection of the Governor’s progressive tax plan might be in the works to fund this additional, massive spending.

“We call on the Governor and legislative leaders to shelve these expensive new spending plans and instead start working with us to help our small and mid-sized manufacturing members thrive and create more jobs for Illinoisans.”

* Illinois Partners for Human Service…

In response to today’s Budget Address, Illinois Partners for Human Service recognizes and appreciates the priorities outlined in this budget for the health and human services sector. Specifically, we appreciate the Smart Start Illinois investments in childcare and early intervention services, increased funding to address and reduce homelessness, and rate increases for developmental disability services.

Our health and human service coalition partners have been on the frontlines shouldering the burden of care for our communities. While increased state and federal dollars have been directed to our sector over the past two years, very little of this funding has addressed the systemic challenges facing the health and human services workforce. We appreciate the Governor’s acknowledgement of these structural issues, but we are far from where we need to be. More work - and investment - is needed to rectify the consequences of twenty years of disinvestment in the health and human service sector in our state.

We look forward to working with the administration and our legislators to do everything possible to increase investment in the human services workforce and reduce administrative burden for community providers. These organizations are trusted by their community members, and their work is essential to the well-being of all Illinoisans.

* Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea…

“Governor J.B. Pritzker’s proposed budget is a win for working families in Illinois. It is a sound and fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of working families and prepares our workforce for an ever-changing economy.”

“Governor Pritzker is ensuring that Illinoisans across all sectors, zip codes and education levels can experience economic stability and security. There are commitments to fully fund our infrastructure, pay down the state’s pensions liabilities and significant investments to our early childhood education, apprenticeship programs and our health and human service workforce.”

“The Illinois AFL-CIO looks forward to continuing to work with Governor Pritzker and calls on the General Assembly to pass a responsible budget that addresses the needs of working people.”

* IL Primary Health Care Association…

As Governor Pritzker begins his second term, the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) thanks him for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate his work to stabilize the state’s finances, providing much needed certainty and reliability to healthcare providers and other state contractors, and allowing for increased investment in vital services. We welcome the opportunity to continue partnering with his administration and the General Assembly on improving healthcare access and the wellbeing of Illinoisans.

We agree that strengthening the healthcare workforce is a top issue facing Illinois and, particularly, our member community health centers. We are grateful for the Governor including $3 million for the Equity and Representation in Health Care Act (Public Act 102-0942) in his introduced budget. This Act, which was a collaborative effort of IPHCA and Cook County Health, creates scholarship and student loan repayment opportunities for healthcare workers from underrepresented backgrounds. It will improve healthcare providers’ ability to attract and retain top talent in medically underserved areas.

IPHCA shares the Governor’s vision of growing mental health and substance use treatment options. In recent years, tragically, our state has witnessed an historic number of fatal overdoses with the introduction of fentanyl. In 2020 alone, we lost twice as many Illinoisans to opioid overdoses as to car accidents or homicides. At the same time, suicide continues to plague our young people. In fact, it has become the third leading cause of death among Illinoisans ages 15 to 34, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Expanding access to mental health and substance use treatment is needed now more than ever.

In response to the increasingly urgent need for mental health and substance use treatment, IPHCA also agrees that increasing investment in Medicaid rates is essential. IPHCA is proposing rate increases to bring us in line with neighboring states that currently reimburse community health centers for behavioral health encounters at levels triple what Illinois pays. IPHCA also introduced legislation to expand the types of behavioral health practitioners that are eligible for reimbursement at community health centers so that we can better leverage the existing workforce. This is particularly important given the significant staffing shortages healthcare providers are experiencing after the pandemic.

For more than fifty years, community health centers have led the way on health equity, offering access to high-quality, comprehensive primary care in marginalized communities. We look forward to working with Governor Pritzker, Administration leaders, and members of the General Assembly in the coming months to ensure that all Illinoisans can live healthy and thrive regardless of income, immigration status, health coverage, or zip code.

* House Speaker Chris Welch…

“The progress we have made as a state in just a few short years is truly remarkable. As we heard today in the governor’s budget address, our financial outlook is strong. It is because of that progress that we are in a position to consider priorities that aren’t just important to Democrats, but the majority of Illinoisans.

“It is paramount that we prioritize hardworking families and continue to make fiscally responsible decisions that put our state in a better position for generations to come. This proposal by Governor Pritzker proves that Democrats are united in those goals. This budget address is a great starting point for our legislative negotiations, and I look forward to building on our recent success. I am confident that Chief Budgeteer Jehan Gordon-Booth, Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, our budget negotiation team, and our appropriations chairs will produce a final product that Illinois can be proud of.”

* Senate President Don Harmon…

“We have labored for years to build a solid, stable fiscal foundation for the state of Illinois. Because of those responsible decisions, we find ourselves in the position to be able to invest in our future and do so in a way that can make a real difference.

“I applaud the governor for starting this conversation and for setting priorities that hopefully can bring people together in bipartisan support.

“From enrolling more children in early education programs, to keeping our promise to fund K-12 schools, to getting back to investing in higher education opportunities and devoting resources to address the growing problem of homelessness, there’s a lot to like in this budget.

“Senate Democrats look forward to the opportunity to explore it in greater detail in the weeks and months ahead.”

* Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce…

“The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce applauds Governor Pritzker for introducing a balanced budget that reflects his continued efforts to improve the state’s finances. Illinois’ strong workforce is our greatest asset, and we appreciate the Governor’s commitment to investing in workforce development across the state. Attracting and retaining talent is critical to sustaining the job growth we have seen over the last few years – thanks to programs such as the EDGE, Film, and Data Center tax credits. The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce stands ready to continue to partner with Governor Pritzker and other elected officials to ensure these programs continue to thrive in a way that helps bolster Illinois’ workforce, foster job creation, and promote economic opportunity across the region.”

* Illinois Freedom Caucus…

“We find it amusing that we seem to live rent free in Governor JB Pritzker’s head, but we are disappointed that he seems incapable of coming up with a different insult other than the overused ‘carnival barkers’ reference. But whatever the insult used, the only tool he has at his disposal is insults and wisecracks because he has no ideas and no vision for our state.

Creating new government programs with money we don’t have is not visionary. It is lazy, pandering from a narcissistic unaccomplished prima donna with delusions of grandeur. Not only is Governor Pritzker incapable of solving the real problems facing our state, but he is not even interested. Last year, Illinois lost more than 100,000 people and we lost a Congressional seat thanks to the continued population loss. JB Pritzker refuses to talk about these issues because to do so would indict his administration and his failed policies. The more the Governor tries to turn Illinois into a woke utopia, the more people flee our state for greener pastures elsewhere. The population loss is hurting our economy. It is hurting our schools and it is putting even more of a burden on the families still living in Illinois.

Every year Governor Pritzker has been in office he has signed a budget that sets a new record for spending and this year will be no exception. The new threshold is $50 billion up from $36 billion less than five years ago.

It is time to start asking the question – what are we getting with all of this state spending?

We have the second highest gas taxes in the country, the second highest property taxes, and we have the most units of local government in the entire country. All we have to show for this is the second highest unemployment rate in the nation, the worst credit rating of all 50 states and a dismal 30 percent of kids who can read at grade level. The real carnival barker is JB Pritzker who wants everyone to ignore the truth about his failed record. The state of the state is disrepair and disfunction courtesy of JB Pritzker.”

The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Chairman Chris Miller (R-Oakland); Vice Chairman Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City); Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur); Jed Davis (R-Newark), and David Friess (R-Red Bud). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.

* Josh Evans, President & CEO of IARF…

“Today Governor JB Pritzker reminded us all of his Administration’s ongoing commitments to further strengthen disability and mental health services in our communities throughout Illinois. The Administration’s work with the General Assembly and our provider community, even through the most difficult days of the pandemic these last few years, has put our social safety net on a path to recovery. The days of budget stalemates and decades long austerity towards persons with disabilities and mental illnesses and those that support them are in the distant past.

His proposed $103 million in new spending on Direct Support Professional rates and increases for Early Intervention services shows his commitment to addressing the core issues facing access to disability services: recruiting and retaining crucial professional and paraprofessional staff. These investments form a strong foundation to improve on over the next few months in the final budget to realize the Governor’s vision of providing community services to an additional 700 adults and 500 children with disabilities.

The Governor is also seeking to address the needs of our children and youth in need of mental health supports through expansion of the Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services and helping families better navigate the often confusing bureaucracy to access services. This is a strong basis to advance further discussion on other capacity needs we must solve together to ensure Illinois’ children and youth can get the behavioral and disability supports they need here, not in other states.

While we thank Governor Pritzker for his continued clear commitment to a stronger social safety net, we know we have immediate rate issues that left unaddressed, will see 3.7 million in Direct Support Professional funded hours eliminated from the service array – an outcome that would substantially weaken the community-based disabilities services and one that we cannot accept. We’ve requested the Department of Human Services embrace a solution supported by all statewide organizations advocating on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities and support structures.

We now ask the General Assembly to build on this proposed budget and advance our legislation to increase the wage rate for Direct Support Professionals by $4 an hour to help address the workforce crisis Gov. Pritzker discussed today, as well as legislation increasing targeted crisis mental health service rates. We appreciate the leaders in the House and Senate who have been working to advance these ideas this session.

Let’s strengthen Illinois’ commitment to our disability and behavioral health workforce through adopting rates that allow our providers to offer competitive wages and benefits so we can meet our missions of helping persons with disabilities and serious mental illness thrive and be engaging members of our communities.”

* Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin…

“Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget address outlined programs that hold a lot of promise for students, and those who work with them, across the state of Illinois. The address increases funding for key programs, including: expanded preschool (Smart Start), a boost to evidence-based funding, money dedicated to help solve the teacher shortage, a $100 million increase in funding to higher education, increases to programs to help diversify the staff in schools in higher education institutions and a $100 million increase in grant funding to help pay for community college or university for those who might not otherwise be able to afford it.

IEA was pleased to see Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to expand and extend preschool for Illinois’ youngest learners. Study after study has shown that the more children learn when they’re young, the more successful they are in school overall. The governor’s budget address today, which outlines his plan for expanding preschool, paying daycare and preschool workers more and funding building projects, bodes well for the youth of Illinois.

We were glad to see $350 million added to the Evidence-Based Funding Formula. However, it is important to note, according to a fall 2022 report by the Partnership for Equity and Education Rights Illinois and the Education Law Center, four out of five public schools in Illinois remain underfunded. There were also increases in career and technical education funding, computer science education, special education and transportation. And, one of the more exciting announcements was that $70 million per year will be allocated in the next three years to boosting the teacher pipeline to the districts that account for about 80 percent of all vacancies.

Higher education also received good news with both increases to funding for low-income students and an overall increase of $100 million to institutions that haven’t seen an increase so large since 2002.

While the governor has proposed reduced funding for the TRIP/TRAIL insurance programs that serve our retired educators in this budget, we are confident the sound fiscal management of these programs for the past several years will allow it to serve our members for generations to come. In fact, IEA has introduced Senate Bill 1749 that would allow vision and dental coverage for our retired members. Additionally, the IEA is firm in our belief that the benefits offered to our members in TRIP/TRAIL are protected by the “Pension Protection Clause” of the Illinois Constitution.

It is important to remember that the governor’s budget address is only a starting point for conversation – an outline of his vision for the state. IEA will continue to work throughout this legislative session to ensure our members and the students they educate will receive the funding needed to help students thrive.”

* A.J. Wilhelmi, President and CEO of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association…

“The Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) echoes Gov. Pritzker’s gratitude for Illinois’ healthcare heroes, who continue to navigate the many challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“IHA commends the Governor for his support of Illinois hospitals and his steadfast commitment to funding programs that will enhance mental and behavioral health services and will help grow Illinois’ healthcare workforce.

“Despite the fiscal and workforce challenges, Illinois hospitals remain strong, viable and committed to providing safe, quality healthcare for all.

“IHA looks forward to working with Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to build a strong healthcare workforce and ensure access to healthcare in Illinois.”

* Asian American Legislative Caucus…

With more than 800,000 Asian Americans residing in Illinois who rely on the successful implementation of our state’s programs and services, we are encouraged by the Governor’s proposed FY 24 budget.

The Governor’s proposed investment in the Community Care Program that helps provide home care for seniors is a great starting point. Thousands of Asian American seniors rely on this program for culturally appropriate care that grants them the opportunity to live in their homes with dignity and respect.

Additionally, the Governor’s proposed funding for programs and services to serve our immigrant families reaffirms our steadfast commitment to ensuring that the state of Illinois remains the most welcoming state in the nation. We look forward to working with the Governor and our colleagues to ensure those dollars are breaking down language and digital barriers that members of our community face.

We are also encouraged by the investments in education, from child care assistance to early childhood and university, proposed by the Governor today. Working class and middle class families in the Asian American community will be given the education pathways needed to become successfully contributing members of our community.

Finally, the work that has been to balance our budget and put our state on solid fiscal footing while providing economic relief to our small businesses, many owned by Asian Americans, could not have been more important. We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide Asian Americans equitable opportunities for grants, tax incentives, and technical assistance to continue providing goods and services all of our communities need.

* IFRA CEO Josh Sharp…

Governor Pritzker’s speech shows clearly where Illinois stands today. It’s true that Illinois is in a better place financially than it has been in for many years, and our leaders in Springfield are finally taking seriously our duty to pay down our debt and save some money in a rainy day fund as others states have made common practice.

But we know these times of strong revenue growth likely will not last, and we remain concerned about adding new spending and creating new programs without any guarantee we will be able to pay for them moving forward. We hope the Governor and legislators will approve a truly balanced budget this legislative session and exercise appropriate restraint while considering legislation that ultimately supports job growth and small businesses.

* Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego)…

“When I started my tenure as a State Representative under Governor Quinn, I had faith that the day will come when Illinois is a leader and a state to be proud of, but that it would take a lot of work from me, my colleagues in the General Assembly with whom I serve, and the Executive branch. Today is the day where all our hard work has made a significant difference in the direction of the state of Illinois.

“In recent years, we’ve taken decisive action to get our financial affairs in order. This has resulted in balanced budgets year after year, a multi-billion-dollar bill backlog being eliminated, less than 30 days accounts payables, multiple credit ratings upgrades and the reestablishment of a functional rainy-day fund.

“I look forward to reviewing the governor’s proposal in detail. As we continue to come out of the pandemic, this year’s budget process is an opportunity for us to address the challenges that families face and continue to improve the state of Illinois. The governor’s budget today reflects the values that we all strive for in the State of Illinois, but we also need to continue to be fiscally responsible for the future and not repeat the mistakes of the past. A balanced approach will further enable us to have greater flexibility to invest in issues that matter to families – especially education, public safety and essential services that our most vulnerable depend on.

“As the only female Veteran in the General Assembly, I continue to be committed to making sure our Servicemembers and Veterans are not left behind. Whether it’s aiding our elderly Veterans or helping returning Servicemembers with access to jobs and support, we must always honor and take care of our country’s heroes.

“Today’s address is the first step of the budget process, and I look forward to working with stakeholders and residents across Illinois to continue to move Illinois forward and make our residents proud of the state they live in.”

* Sen. Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett)…

“Illinois is located in the heart of the nation. It is a major transportation hub with state-of-the-art institutions and a remarkable and educated workforce. Our state is ripe for economic development, and we need to work in a bipartisan manner on policies that will grow our economy and create opportunities for future investment. Greatness is at our fingertips. We just need to ensure we have dedicated and existing funding streams to allocate toward policy ideals we all share, like public safety, education for kids, and providing services for the disabled, which have all been underfunded for years.

“The Governor presented some laudable goals today, but overall he proposed increasing permanent, year-to-year spending by $3 billion. As we head toward a likely recession, I was hoping to hear a speech that focused on controlled spending and fiscal restraint. Unfortunately, what we heard was a list of spending priorities that do not align with Illinois’ fiscal realities.

“I fear the Governor’s budget priorities are setting the stage for a massive tax increase in the very near future. My constituents are desperate for tax relief, and what I heard today was a recipe for a tax hike. Still, today’s speech is a starting point for discussions on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. I look forward to a respectful give and take of ideas so we can come together on a spending plan that benefits all Illinoisans.”

* Rep. Bradley J. Fritts (R-Dixon)…

“I completely support the effort to expand funding offered to hospitals. Healthcare is critical, and many rural areas suffer the effects of minimal funding. Just last week, St. Margaret’s Hospital in Peru closed its doors. Now, some women in my district have to travel over an hour to reach a hospital to give birth safely. This is unacceptable, and I commend Governor Pritzker’s effort to assist the people of our state in accessing healthcare services.

“However, I am deeply concerned by the lack of economic growth discussed in his address. Our state is seeing a drastic decline in economic opportunity. Companies like Caterpillar, Citadel, and Boeing have all announced that they are leaving Illinois. People are fleeing our state, as Illinois has one of the highest rates of outward migration in the nation. Yet, there is no plan to remedy this situation.

“Governor Pritzker has proposed a 7.9% increase in state expenditures, yet our revenue is expected to fall by 2.8%. That is unsustainable and will only further burden the taxpayers in our state. This budget proposal is far from being balanced

“I came to Springfield to work each and every day for the people of my district and my state. I am willing to work across the aisle to fix these issues and bring fiscal responsibility back to our state.”

* Senate Republican Leader John Curran…

“Two years ago, the Governor and the Democratic Majority proposed the largest tax increase in Illinois history. The voters soundly rejected it. Last year, the Democratic Majority added another $4 billion in spending on top of the Governor’s proposed budget. This year, the Governor’s proposal seeks to build upon that spending. We must heed the warnings of Comptroller Mendoza and be disciplined in our fiscal approach at a time when we are likely to experience a recession. We must stop the Democratic Majority from spending us into a tax increase.

“That said, there are some opportunities to work together – especially on providing more access to early childhood education and childcare. However, I would like to see a greater prioritization for our developmentally disabled communities that continue to be massively underfunded.

“I look forward to working with the Governor and other leaders to share the Senate Republican priorities of creating more opportunities for Illinois families and businesses, funding public safety, and implementing structural reforms to ensure a more stable and prosperous Illinois.”

* Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights…

“The state budget is a moral document that reflects the priorities of Illinois residents. Every year elected officials in Springfield have an opportunity to address inequities caused by long term disinvestment in already vulnerable communities.

“Over the course of decades, immigrants in Illinois have fought for and won appropriations for essential services that have made our state one of the most welcoming in the entire country. Because of our members’ on-the-ground experience working with vulnerable communities who are already excluded from many federal programs, we know what state resources are needed so that inequities can be addressed locally and our communities can thrive in Illinois.

“While the proposed funding for essential immigrant services in Governor Pritzker’s FY 2024 budget is a step in the right direction, we are committed to ensuring that at least $53 million is allocated to the Immigrant Services Line Item by the time the final budget is passed this session. Funding at $53 million will ensure that immigrant-serving community organizations across Illinois can continue to provide essential support to Illinois’ most vulnerable immigrant populations. These supports include direct cash assistance for immigrant families recovering from the pandemic; support for asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Latin America; citizenship and DACA application fee waiver assistance; interpretation and translation services in 59 languages; and other supports.

“In addition to at least $53 million for the Immigrant Services Line Item, ICIRR members and our coalition partners are committed to ensuring that a state Child Tax Credit and healthcare for all Illinoisans regardless of immigration status are included in the final budget.

“Our members will be organizing in their communities and will be traveling to Springfield throughout the session to meet with legislators and the Governor’s office to secure their commitments for pro-immigrant appropriations in this year’s budget. Passing a budget that includes these essential services and pro-immigrant policies will ensure that Illinois remains one of the most welcoming states in the entire country.”

* Illinois Association for Behavioral Health CEO Jud DeLoss…

“We thank Governor Pritzker for highlighting mental health and substance use disorder services as well as reflecting on behavioral health’s impact within his own family” said DeLoss. “While we appreciate an incremental increase in the proposed budget, we will advocate vigorously to align spending with the speech’s ambitious sentiments.”

* The Responsible Budget Coalition…

As a coalition of the state’s leading advocacy, human service, community, and labor organizations, we judge any budget by these principles: It must contain adequate revenue, that revenue must be fairly raised, and it must avoid cuts to vital programs and services.

Sound fiscal management has put our state in a position to ensure the lowest-income earners have access to vital public services. The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear that to thrive, we must equip our society with the skills to respond, adapt, and innovate. Providing families and caregivers the necessary services and resources to succeed benefits everyone in Illinois.

We must be mindful of the revenue projections, which show a $384 million deficit in FY2025.

RBC will continue to work with legislative leaders to ensure Illinois stays on sound financial footing and meets the needs of its people. RBC will examine and propose revenue generators to provide the resources necessary to meet the needs of the people of Illinois.

We call on the General Assembly to work towards a budget that meets our moral commitment to
support Illinois’ lowest-income people.

* Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview)…

“After paying down billions in debt early, replenishing our rainy-day fund and passing balanced budgets year after year, Illinois is sitting on its most stable fiscal foundation in years. Our numerous credit rating increases from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch are proof of that and the responsible budget we will soon pass is sure to bring more growth.

“Illinois’ financial strength provides an opportunity to make significant progress on a number of pressing issues for our community, especially public safety. The Protecting Illinois Communities Act was an important step forward but following tragic shootings like those we saw in Highland Park last Fourth of July, and just days ago at Michigan State University, it’s vital we appropriate significant funding to combat the epidemic of gun violence. To put a stop to this heartbreaking problem, I will advocate for funding dedicated to mental health services, community outreach programs and smart law enforcement practices.

“Too many young people are facing an increasingly competitive workplace without the assistance of higher education. In my position on the House Higher Education committee, I’ll push for necessary reforms and improvements for 4-year universities, vocational schools and community colleges.

“I am encouraged that Governor Pritzker’s budget proposal appropriate emphasis on education, particularly early childhood education, with the Smart Start initiative. Studies have shown that high quality early childhood education including pre-K, is among the most effective investments we can make in a child’s future. I look forward to reviewing the Governor’s proposal in greater detail as we move toward a vote.

“I am also pleased to see that the Governor’s priorities include efforts aimed at reducing poverty. I applaud his commitment to addressing food insecurity and homelessness, which disproportionately impact vulnerable and marginalized Illinoisans.”

* Karin Zosel, Executive Director of the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition…

“We commend the Governor for a proposed budget that recognizes the need to protect our seniors and people with disabilities and provides critical additional funding so that our coalition can provide the best care possible. As supportive living providers, we are entrusted to help protect and care for some of the most vulnerable people in Illinois. Through millions of new dollars provided through increased reimbursement rates and funding to grow our healthcare workforce, Illinois can continue to be a leading state in care for seniors and those with disabilities.

“With an enrollment now of over 3.7 million Illinoisians served through the Medicaid system, our state must make the proper investments in those who serve the Medicaid populations. As a coalition, we look forward to continuing to work with legislators and the Governor in our mission is to help residents and their loved ones live with the peace of mind that they have high-quality, affordable, and safe living environments.”

* Tim Ozinga (R-Mokena)…

“After months of record-high inflation, I was hopeful that Governor Pritzker’s budget would relieve struggling Illinois residents. Unfortunately, this budget proposal does the opposite and will require another tax increase to cover the ever-growing cost of new programs.”

“Year after year, we see the same empty promises have led to businesses and citizens fleeing the state of Illinois in droves. This out-of-control budget will only make it harder for the people of Illinois to get by. It’s time for the Governor to hold himself accountable for his hostile anti-business and anti-taxpayer policies and to make a change to help our state.”

* House Dems…

A strong, diverse coalition of House Democratic lawmakers will lead the Caucus’ effort to continue rebuilding Illinois’ fiscal house, make smart investments in critical services, and prioritize the needs of working families.

Following Gov. JB Pritzker’s Budget Address Wednesday, chief budgeteer and Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, announced members of the House Democratic Budget Working Group. The team will be led by Gordon-Booth, and include Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston; Assistant Majority Leader and House Revenue & Finance Chair Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park; Deputy Majority Leader Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero; and Reps. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, and Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights.

Appropriations committees will also lead efforts to review the governor’s proposed budget and the current Fiscal Year 2023 budget line-by-line to weigh expenses and determine future investments. Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, will lead the Appropriations-General Services Committee; Rep. Will Davis, D-East Hazel Crest, will lead the Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee; Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, will lead the Appropriations-Higher Education Committee; Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, will lead the Appropriations-Health & Human Services Committee; and Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, will lead the Appropriations-Public Safety Committee.

“Our budget is a reflection of our values, so it’s appropriate that our effort to build a smart, responsible, and compassionate budget is led by a group of dynamic and thoughtful lawmakers who look like Illinois and are ready to deliver for Illinois,” Gordon-Booth said. “We’ve made tremendous progress in rebuilding Illinois’ fiscal house over the past four years, and Governor Pritzker has laid out the work ahead of us. I look forward to a collaborative and inclusive process that brings this group, our appropriations committees, and our friends on the other side of the aisle together to work with stakeholders and develop a budget that is both fiscally and socially responsible.”

House Democrats will also convene a Medicaid Working Group to vet the number of introduced bills impacting Medicaid spending and guide policymaking during the upcoming Medicaid redetermination process, during which time enrollees must report their household income to renew eligibility.

The Medicaid Working Group will be led by Gabel, along with Gordon-Booth, Hernandez, and Lilly, and fellow members Rep. Dagmara ‘Dee’ Avelar, D-Bolingbrook; Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn; Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia; Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin; Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island; and Rep. Nick Smith, D-Chicago.

“Medicaid is a major segment of our budget, and our Medicaid policy is also a major part of our effort to be both responsible and compassionate,” Gabel said. “This group will bring diverse voices together to review legislation impacting Medicaid from all angles and contribute to a budget that invests in our immediate health and our long-term wellbeing.”

* Chicago Coalition for the Homeless…

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) appreciates Governor Pritzker’s focus on addressing homelessness, housing, and poverty in his budget address and proposed Fiscal Year 2024 State of Illinois Budget. As the Governor stated in his address, “…we will have failed everyone in Illinois if we don’t place a higher priority on tackling poverty…” This proposed budget is a step in the right direction.

The Home Illinois initiative puts needed focus on addressing the needs of those experiencing homelessness and poverty. As the Governor noted, “In Illinois, Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people…” and underlined tackling homelessness is fundamental to advancing racial equity. Moreover, he included people living doubled-up in his description of homelessness, which aligns with CCH’s annual estimate of homelessness for Illinois.

We are encouraged by the proposed investment in new funding to tackle homelessness. We look forward to working with the legislature and governor’s office to ensure the final budget includes increased funding for Emergency and Transitional Housing, Youth Homelessness, and Supportive Housing services. These funds can be used to make sure every person living in Illinois has a safe place to call their own along with supportive services to allow them to live independently. Homeless and housing providers have weathered the pandemic, changing their model to keep their clients, who are likely to be high-risk, safer. They have lost staff due to COVID as well as their inability to pay competitive wages.

The Governor’s proposal to increase the TANF monthly grant amount to 40% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is a step in the right direction toward ending familial poverty in Illinois. The need is growing for Illinoisian families with the cost of living and prices soaring on basic but necessary items, and with the end of the emergency SNAP allotment families are looking for relief, especially those living in deep poverty. We encourage the legislature to work with the Governor’s office to include an increase in TANF to 50% of FPL to provide additional funds to pay off debt, to save, and to make the necessary purchases for their families.

The Governor and the General Assembly have shown through their actions over the past few years they want to invest in the needs of those that are too often pushed to the margins. We look forward to working with them this year to enact a 2024 budget that continues this work.

* University of Illinois…

The state budget proposed today by Gov. J.B. Pritzker would provide a 7% increase in general operating support for the University of Illinois System, increasing the system’s total general funds appropriation to $697.1 million for the coming fiscal year, and representing a vital reinvestment in public higher education that would build on last year’s appropriation increases.

“We share with the governor a vested interest in our state’s success, and higher education is a critical partner,” University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen said. “We are excited to see the governor’s strong support in today’s budget proposal. It represents a second consecutive year of needed reinvestment in our public colleges and universities. This funding would help enhance the world-class education and experiences of our students, the workforce of the future.”

The governor also recommended a $100 million increase for the state’s Monetary Award Program (MAP), to $701 million. About 44 percent of all resident undergraduate students across the U of I System universities receive MAP aid.

“Programs like MAP and the state’s AIM High grants are important tools to support our efforts to increase access and affordability, keeping more of our students in the state of Illinois,” Killeen added. “We appreciate the governor’s leadership in making higher education the important priority that it deserves to be. We are eager to work with the governor and General Assembly members from across the state to ensure an exciting future for the state of Illinois.”

* Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee)…

“Illinois families are fighting uphill battles on many fronts and this budget proposal does nothing to address it. When our residents see in their household budgets that they’re spending more than they’re making, they cut costs and make sacrifices. Lawmakers could learn a thing or two from our constituents, and that should show in this budget proposal. Increased funding pressures will drive deficit spending, increasing taxes and not addressing our dreadful fiscal climate.”

* IL Action for Children…

“It is clear from today’s budget address that Governor Pritzker gets it,” said IAFC CEO April Janney. “He understands that it takes a comprehensive commitment—investing in education and other programs that reduce poverty, foster health and well-being—to make meaningful change.”

* Doug Kenshol, co-founder of the Illinois Shelter Alliance and Executive Director of South Suburban PADS…

On behalf of the Illinois Shelter Alliance, I want to thank Governor Pritzker for his transformative and lifesaving leadership.

We applaud Governor Pritzker for including preventing and ending homelessness as one of the key budget priorities in his fiscal year 2024 budget proposal, as evidenced by the $350 million in state and federal funding dedicated to the HOME Illinois plan.

Members of our coalition especially appreciate that the summary of the HOME Illinois plan states that it includes, “$155 million to support unhoused populations seeking shelter and services, inclusive of $55 million to the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program.”

In addition, the Governor has proposed increased general revenue spending and other funding increases for priorities that prevent people from ever needing shelter, as well as being able to more easily access permanent housing, so that individuals and families are in shelter for as brief a time as possible.

These investments include funding for homelessness prevention, shelter diversion, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, street outreach, medical respite and other critical needs.

Governor Pritzker’s leadership will save lives.

This proposed funding will not end homelessness in Illinois, but it will generate a great deal of momentum towards that end.

At present, every day 3,000 to 4,000 people cannot access safe shelter in Illinois. This includes women fleeing domestic violence, families with young children, veterans, and people who are medically vulnerable. Their lives and health are at risk and many will eventually be hospitalized due to frostbite, flu and other preventable illnesses.

Many served by the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program are children. The most recent state data shows that 1 out of every 4 people served by funded agencies was a child under the age of 18. About half of those children were 5 years old or younger.

The State of Illinois’ own December 2022 analysis shows that we need 4,551 additional shelter beds across the state, a 67% increase. To make matters worse, during the remainder of 2023, we are at serious risk of losing up to 1,600 beds as federal pandemic relief funding comes to an end.

We will continue to advocate with the General Assembly to support the Governor’s proposed increases and the additional resources needed to make sure everyone in Illinois has a home.

Our request for $61 million in Emergency and Transitional Housing Program funding was originally outlined in a letter sent to Governor Pritzker in December. The funding request has been endorsed by over 255 organizations, including: the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans, Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Catholic Conference of Illinois, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Cook County Health, Housing Action Illinois, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Illinois Shelter Alliance, and many other health, religious and housing advocates. Today’s proposal represents significant progress towards meeting immediate crisis needs.

Governor Pritzker has stated that “shelter is not a privilege—it’s a right.” Now, we need the General Assembly’s assistance to approve the funding the Governor has requested.

We look forward to working with the Governor Pritzker’s administration, members of the General Assembly and others to fully develop the details of the HOME Illinois plan to ensure that resources effectively reach those who need shelter and housing.