SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes (D-Chicago) released the following statement regarding the Fiscal Year 2027 budget on Monday:
“Many working families throughout Illinois are struggling to pay needed expenses, from groceries to insurance. It is our job as legislators to make residents’ lives easier, and this budget does that. However, this budget also leaves essential programs with not enough or no funding, which would have improved residents’ lives even more.
“Adding the FRESH benefits program for EBT payments will help residents put food on the table, and the back-to-school sales tax holiday will make sure that residents can afford school supplies. Even though this is a tough fiscal year, it is important that we help our struggling residents and continue to invest in services that will help them reach success. We are helping these residents, but we could be doing even more for them.
“With so many medical deserts across Illinois, health care is an area we must prioritize. From increasing direct support professionals’ wages to boosting the funding for free and charitable clinics, we are making an effort to enhance the accessibility and equitability of health care.”
