Will County state lawmakers praise Pritzker proposal to boost education investment

Democratic state lawmakers representing parts of Will County praised Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposal to increase education funding in his annual State of the State address on Wednesday.

Pritzker touted the state’s improved financial standing during his address, and called for more investments in public education from early childhood to college. During the address, the governor presents a budget proposal which the General Assembly will have to approve before the end of the fiscal year.

State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, said she was pleased to see the state fully fund K-12 education and provide more funding for need-based higher education grants, under the governor’s proposal.

“The pandemic has created many difficulties for families with school-aged children and adults seeking further education,” said Loughran Cappel, in a statement. “Now, more than ever, we must support educators and students and this is a good starting point as we begin the budget process.”

Specifically, Loughran Cappel, who is the vice chair of the Senate Education Committee, pointed to a proposed increase to the Monetary Award Program, which helps low-income students access higher education.

In a statement, Rep. Dagmara Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, called for lawmakers to “make sure our schools have the resources they need to ensure our children receive a quality education in a safe learning environment for all students, staff and teachers.”

While the state’s finances have improved under Pritzker’s administration, many have pointed out Illinois was helped at least in part by the massive federal spending over the past two years to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, state Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort, said “it is crucial that we remember to be cognizant of the recent federal assistance we received while crafting this year’s budget and use this time to prepare for when this assistance is no longer available.”

State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, posted her thoughts on Facebook in response to Pritzker’s address, asking how the state was going to pay for expanded programs “when the Biden bucks dry up?” referring to the federal aid.

Pritzker also proposed a roughly $1 billion package of tax relief measures aimed at mitigating the impact of inflation on Illinois consumers. Though measures like a suspension of state taxes on groceries and motor fuel would be temporary.