SEN. AQUINO STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF BALANCED BUDGET PLAN
07/04/2017
SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, released the following statement following the Senate’s passage of a budget package:
“After three painful years of chaos, I am glad that we were finally able to approve a balanced, responsible spending plan that brings stability to the people, government and businesses of Illinois.
“The budget dedicates $136 million in funding for community mental health treatment programs, which have struggled in the communities that I represent and across the state. Without adequate state funding, many community health providers have been unable to provide mental health care, as they have been forced to scale back operations and, in some cases, close entirely. By approving a full-year spending plan, we are finally giving these organizations the certainty that they need to provide crucial services.
“This is a balanced budget that fully funds government programs and grants, and incorporates $2.5 billion in responsible cuts. It will end the chaos and provide much-needed certainty to Illinoisans. I hope that Governor Rauner will end his partisan games and put the people of Illinois above politics by signing the budget into law.”
“After three painful years of chaos, I am glad that we were finally able to approve a balanced, responsible spending plan that brings stability to the people, government and businesses of Illinois.
“The budget dedicates $136 million in funding for community mental health treatment programs, which have struggled in the communities that I represent and across the state. Without adequate state funding, many community health providers have been unable to provide mental health care, as they have been forced to scale back operations and, in some cases, close entirely. By approving a full-year spending plan, we are finally giving these organizations the certainty that they need to provide crucial services.
“This is a balanced budget that fully funds government programs and grants, and incorporates $2.5 billion in responsible cuts. It will end the chaos and provide much-needed certainty to Illinoisans. I hope that Governor Rauner will end his partisan games and put the people of Illinois above politics by signing the budget into law.”
