Statement by Greg Kelley, president, SEIU Healthcare Illinois, on Governor Pritzker’s Budget Address:

“Gov. Pritzker came into office following four years of fiscal mismanagement by the previous administration that damaged lives, destroyed jobs, and devasted our state agencies and the services depended on by our most vulnerable residents.

“We appreciate the administration’s recognition of the devastation and for beginning a process to correct it with a budget that prioritizes working families and the people of Illinois.

“We are encouraged by the efforts to stabilize the Home Service Program, the Community Care Program, and the Child Care Assistance Program, which are sorely needed after years of devasting cuts. Ten thousand additional children will be eligible for safe and affordable child care services as a result of this budget.

“We strongly believe that healthcare and child care are a right and should be accessible to all.  We know that at this moment far too many families in Illinois can’t afford these basic services. That’s why we fully support Governor Pritzker’s call for a Fair Tax, an income tax with lower rates for lower incomes and higher rates for higher incomes.

“Gov. Pritzker understands that millionaires and billionaires should pay more taxes than minimum wage workers. Through a fair tax structure, Illinois can provide vital services like homecare and child care, while also lifting the tax burden off of working families.

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