DeKalb Times

In a Feb. 15 post on his Senate website, Sen. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) responded to Gov. J.B.Pritzker's State of the State and Budget address.

 “The people I represent in Northwest Illinois are looking for substantive, permanent tax relief,” said Chesney. “But rather than hearing a proposal that would put more money back in Illinois citizens’ pockets, our Governor is channeling taxpayer dollars toward illegal aliens who visit welcome centers across our state. The South Beloit Welcome Center is in my district, and I will oppose any effort to channel taxpayer funds to illegal immigrants.”

Chesney also spoke out on what he called funding for free childcare, including for the unemployed, a $3 million appropriation for a Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming and Intersex Wellness Grant program through the Department of Human Services, and funding for an abortion services hotline. “These are radical ideals that appeal to the extremes of the Democrat base,” said Chesney. “These are not the kinds of issues people are calling my office about when they suggest areas for state spending. The people who call my office are just wanting an honest state government that provides adequate funding for critical areas like education, economic development, and assistance for the disabled.”

In his address, Pritzker discussed his proposed budget, which includes funding for Smart Start Illinois, a program that has four elements: pre-K, childcare, early intervention, and home visiting. The four-year program will, he said, increase the state's funding for the Early Childhood Block Grant Program by $75 million. He said the budget also provides $350 million to K-12 public schools.

Pritzker also touted fiscal progress. 

"What was once an Illinois with $17 billion in overdue bills is now an Illinois that pays its bills on time. What was once an Illinois that went years without a budget is now an Illinois that has passed four balanced budgets in a row," Pritzker said. "What was once a state with no cushion to protect it in an economic downturn is now an Illinois on track to have a $2.3 billion Rainy Day Fund. What was once an Illinois with a credit rating on the verge of junk status is now an Illinois getting credit upgrades. Our fiscal progress is remarkable. Remember the $230 million in College Illinois debt? Paid. Remember the $900 million in group health insurance debt? Paid. How about the $800 million Thompson center liability? Paid. $4.5 billion Unemployment Trust Fund debt? Paid. The $1.3 billion debt owed to Illinois’ treasury funds swept by previous governors? Paid. $8 billion of overdue bills? Paid."