“We appreciate the level and, in some cases increased, investments in several early childhood and K-12 education line items that will support schools, increase access to child care, and funding to support school districts with high rates of unfilled positions to support teacher recruitment and retention. While we hoped to see an increase to many of the programs that saw flat funding, specifically the Smart Start Workforce Grants and the Early Childhood Block Grant, these demonstrate a continued commitment to educational equity for Illinois children. However, in higher education we are deeply concerned about the proposed 1% increase for our public universities. It is simply inadequate and fails to keep pace with enrollment declines and ongoing inflationary pressures. Continuing to withhold the remaining 2% that had already been appropriated could force some state universities to increase tuition, cut student success programs, reduce staff, or face potential closure. We urge the Governor to release those funds and all lawmakers to support the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act (AEF), the solution our public higher education system desperately needs after decades of disinvestment. Early education provides the critical foundation our children and young people need for future success, but if we continue to disinvest in higher education, we risk cutting those dreams short before they’re fully realized.

“In immigration, we are relieved to see level funding for the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program (HBIS), a lifeline for senior immigrants to access healthcare. However, we are deeply disappointed by proposed cuts to programs that are vital for immigrant families in precarious situations, including a $10 million cut to the Access to Justice program and a $15 million cut to the program for survivors of trafficking and torture, which was originally established because lawmakers recognized that survivors should be supported while they adjust their immigration status. With H.R. 1 eliminating eligibility for federal food assistance for many of these groups, our state program may be the only lifeline available. HB4831/SB3167, aims to build on this program so that immigrants who lose eligibility due to H.R. 1 can continue receiving essential food assistance.

“And in housing, we are pleased to see Governor Pritzker’s proposed $250 million investment in BUILD Illinois to expand affordable housing options across Illinois for working families who fall within the missing middle or those earning too much to qualify for most subsidies but not enough to afford the rising housing market. Nevertheless, we are disappointed to see cuts to critical programs that keep Illinoisans housed, including a deep $10 million cut to Home Illinois, which will primarily impact shelter and service funding, while other key investments including supportive housing, homelessness prevention services, shelter diversions, court-based rental assistance, and others, appear to remain intact. Sustained and growing investments are critical to ensuring we can effectively support the increasing number of residents experiencing homelessness in our state.

“We recognize Illinois faces significant fiscal pressures, but we must rise to the occasion and support our community at a time when they need us the most. Recognizing the fiscal challenges our state is facing, we thought it was important to help fund these critical programs. This year we joined partners in the Illinois Revenue Alliance to develop smart revenue solutions that lawmakers should consider seriously. These could make the difference between critical initiatives receiving the funding they need and leaving vulnerable families to fend for themselves. Let’s do better. We look forward to working closely with our leaders, partners and community to build support for the budget line items and policies that working Latino and immigrant families need.”