News

AQUINO VOTES FOR BALANCED BUDGET

05/23/2017

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, voted today to pass a full-year balanced budget that, if signed into law, would end Illinois’ historically long budget impasse.

“Over the course of this impasse, Illinois has been lacking stability. This has hurt many people, especially students and the schools that they attend,” Aquino said. “For the first time in over two years, we are on track to fully fund after school programs, education and MAP grants with a balanced, responsible budget. It is time to invest in our people again.”

The budget approved by the Illinois Senate today would spend the same amount of money as Gov. Rauner’s budget proposal. The budget includes $286 million in new funding for P-12 education, $15 million for after school programs and $364 million for MAP grants. It includes a mix of cuts and revenues to achieve balance.

The Senate approved a package consisting of six legislative measures to implement a full-year budget for 2018. Their proposal will now be considered by the House of Representatives.