ROCKFORD, Ill. – Early Saturday morning, the Illinois House of Representatives voted to pass a balanced budget for the 2024 Fiscal Year, sending the bill to the governor and delivering critical investments for the Rockford area and the entire state of Illinois. The legislation includes significant new investments in K-12 and early childhood education, public safety, mental health services, and more while continuing to grow Illinois’ rainy day fund.
The budget also includes two key priorities of State Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford): $1.5 million for Rockford-area restaurants still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and $7.5 million for home modifications to help keep people with disabilities in their own homes.
“For the fifth consecutive year, Democrats in the legislature have worked with Gov. Pritzker to deliver a fiscally responsible, balanced budget for the people of Illinois,” said State Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). “I am especially proud to announce significant investments in the 67th District, including much-needed assistance for local restaurants still struggling to recover from the pandemic. Plus, I am committed to ensuring our communities continue to receive money from the state to upgrade our infrastructure, public safety, hospitality sector, and more. We will continue to strengthen our state’s finances, which have received eight credit upgrades in recent years, so we can save taxpayers money while bolstering the entire Illinois economy.”