FROM THE OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE LITESA E. WALLACE
For Immediate Release: For More Information:
June 30, 2016 State Rep. Litesa E. Wallace
815-987-7433
Wallace Supports Stopgap Budget, Calls for Continued Action on
Challenges Facing Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford, issued the
following statement after Thursday's passage of Senate Bill 2047, a
stopgap spending plan that will bring additional funding to Rockford
public schools, as well as fund higher education, cancer screenings and
other essential services that had been impacted by the state budget
impasse:
"Over the past year, residents across our state and the city of Rockford
have been forced to bear the consequences of an unnecessary budget
impasse. I have repeatedly called for a responsible resolution to this
stalemate, and today's vote is an important first step toward that goal.
"Through this legislation, Rockford public schools will receive
additional funding and will open on time this fall. I have repeatedly
supported plans to increase resources for our students and teachers, and
am glad that negotiations with the governor were able to make this
priority a reality. This is an important commitment to our community's
youth, who deserve the opportunity to recognize and achieve their full
potential in the classroom.
"This bill also addresses the need to prioritize essential, life-saving
services that should never have been used as political bargaining chips.
Disability care, breast cancer screenings, rape crisis counseling and
senior services are some of the many important programs that are
representative of how our state treats the well-being of our residents.
After taking multiple votes over the past year to fund these critical
services, I am encouraged to finally see them receive the bi-partisan
support they always deserved.
"It will take a lot of effort to reverse the damage of this budget
impasse, but I am encouraged by today's action. As we move forward, I
remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle in a responsible manner to address the challenges that face
Illinois and the city of Rockford."
For more information, please contact Wallace's constituent service
office at 815-987-7433, or email litesa@staterepwallace.com.
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