SPRINGFIELD – After hearing the governor’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) released the following statement:

“It is no secret that Illinois is in a tight spot. With financial pressure coming from the federal level, we need to be smart and deliberate when it comes to crafting a budget rooted in practicality.

“The Senate is not just a rubber stamp – we will review this proposal thoroughly and make the changes where they are needed. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will work diligently over the next few months, acting as a voice for the hard working residents I know back home.

“We must develop a framework that funds Illinois’ essential programs while giving everyday people the relief they deserve.”