Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his budget address to Illinois lawmakers Wednesday. Capitol News Illinois reports the 51.7-billion-dollar spending plan includes increased funding for human services, healthcare, education, and more.
Pritzker highlighted his Smart Start early education initiative, saying in its first year, the state exceeded its goal of 5,000 new preschool seats by 15 percent.
Pritzker announced plans to push for a new “Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act,” which will impose stricter regulations on health insurance companies and the coverage they provide. Pritzker says doctors and patients should be in charge of making healthcare decisions – not insurance companies:
Although Gov. Pritzker’s spending plan calls for spending $1.8 billion more than the current fiscal year, financial forecasters are predicting a deficit next year. Pritzker says his proposed budget makes – quote – hard choices.
Local state Senator Paul Faraci called the Governor’s budget plan a good start. He was happy to see increased funding for education. He also liked that the budget calls for funding to help people living with disabilities. He says he would like to see more of such funding.
Republican local Representative Brandun Schweizer was not quite as supportive of the Governor’s plan and said he was skeptical of the priorities. He said he is a team player and wants to see the budget planning to fruition, but he is uncertain if lawmakers will all agree to roll back on unnecessary spending.
