DAILY UPDATES
DPI - June 2, 2025
Illinois Democrats Deliver Yet Another Budget for Working Families
Thanks to Democrats, the State Legislature has passed its seventh consecutive balanced budgetSpringfield, IL — Despite facing headwinds from a federal administration that continues to act against the needs of working families–led by Governor JB Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon, House Speaker Chris Welch and Deputy Majority Leader Lisa Hernandez–Democrats have delivered yet another balanced budget for Illinois. It’s the state’s seventh in a row and a stark contrast to the last era of Republican leadership, which left Illinois with eight credit downgrades, $17 billion in unpaid bills, and two years without a state budget.
DPI - June 2, 2025
“This budget is what we mean when we say Democrats deliver,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez. “Along with successfully balancing our state’s budget for the seventh year in a row, Illinois Democrats worked to help make life more affordable for many of our states’ families—and did so in the face of Trump and Congressional Republicans’ tariffs, political retribution and cutting of social safety nets. Now, Democrats’ commitment to fiscal responsibility—and to working families—will be signed into law by our Governor.”
“While Illinois Republicans whine about this budget, I think most Illinoisians would like to know what exactly they think is bad for working families?" asked DPI Executive Director Ben Hardin. “Is it access to health care? Child care? Is it job creation? Pre-K for four-year-olds?” asked DPI Executive Director Ben Hardin.
DPI - June 2, 2025
Some FY26 budget wins: $2.8 billion for the Child Care Assistance Program to assist families across the state in affording child care $1.3 million increase for career and technical education programs * $35 million for after school programs * $5 million for the teaching mentorship program, $30 million to the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program, and $8 million to the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship to tackle the ongoing teacher shortage. * A historic $721 million for Monetary Award Program (MAP) funding. *$2.5 million for the Common Application Partnership Initiative – or Common App – to make applying for college easier and more streamlined. * $40 million to build up the Reimagine Public Safety grant program. *$600 million for safety net hospitals. *$100 million for the child tax credit for eligible low-income families *$15 million for the Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program. * $5 million to the Illinois Grocery Initiative. * $75 million will go toward enhancing youth employment opportunities.* $7.5 million to the Fast-Track Workforce program to provide employee screening, recruitment and job training development to employers. * $10 million for the Made in Illinois program – a game-changing opportunity for small and mid-sized manufacturers to access up to $50,000 in matching funds to support innovation and strategic technological advancements
