Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor outlined his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027:

“In a year when the Trump administration is set on passing policies that take services and opportunities away from those struggling to make ends meet, we in Illinois are focused on extending a lifeline to working families so they can thrive.

“The budget plan put forth today would preserve key state investments across affordable housing, health care, education and public safety – continuing to make life in Illinois safe, affordable and meaningful despite this federal administration’s chaos and cruelty.

“Our work begins to craft another responsible, compassionate budget that highlights Illinois’ commitment to cementing our state as the best place to build and raise a family. Building on seven years of historic fiscal progress, Illinois will meet the challenges that lay ahead. We’ve done so before and we’ll do it again.

“While the Trump administration is focused on sowing fear and dysfunction, we will work to prioritize every resident, no matter their background, the color of their skin, their education level or their ZIP code.”