SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker gave his annual budget and state of the state addresses this morning, after which State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“This budget is at a good place, and considering the circumstances, it reflects a more optimistic outlook than where we were a year ago. The budget proposal certainly takes into account the improved circumstances of our state’s economic and fiscal situations, and it’s a good place to begin the process of drafting our first budget that puts us on the road to economic recovery during this pandemic. It continues the work of cleaning up the mess that we, the Democrats, were left with after the disasters of the previous administration. This is going to show Illinoisans that we are good fiscal stewards, that we’re not only taking care of their money they entrust us with, but also that we are making real investments in uplifting all of our communities across the state-that we are building a state for the many and not the few.”

“I appreciate the governor’s willingness to appropriate $240 million in new money for the Reimagine Public Safety plan and I look forward to continuing to negotiate to fully fund this program to support the intent of this plan going forward.”

“I am also pleased to see that there is $10 million in new appropriations for the law enforcement training fund to pay for the obligation associated with the SAFE-T Act. We are improving public safety, supporting better law enforcement and working to end systemic injustice at the same time.” 

“All of this on top of investments for small businesses, youth in care, and working families shows that we have a pathway towards a budget that works for all Illinoisans and not just a few.”