SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following the completion of a special session to address the state budget and other pressing legislation, state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, issued the following statement:
“This pandemic laid bare the institutional inequities deeply embedded in our nation, disproportionately hurting communities of color and devastating our local economy. To meet this unprecedented health crisis with the urgency it demands, it was imperative that we worked to prioritize the most significant issues impacting our families and communities. That is why we came together to pass a balanced budget that will fund the essential services and crucial resources we need to keep Illinois moving forward.
“By keeping our focus on the health outcomes and financial impact of this outbreak, we worked to expand access to tele-health and mental health resources, create new protections for laid off and essential workers and support a broad vote by mail system to guarantee every voice is heard in our democratic process.
“With so much uncertainty in the job market, we made sure our budget invests in job opportunities and educational resources to ensure a brighter future for Illinois youth. Through allowing counties to delay late penalty fees and sales taxes, we were able to bring some property tax relief to struggling homeowners.
“While passing this budget is a critical step in the right direction, there is no question more work remains to obtain full economic recovery and address inequality in our health care system. No matter the circumstances, I will continue to push for a stronger an
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