SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, issued the following response to the Governor’s State of the State Address, highlighting the need for fully funded services and strong fiscal decision making. 

“Supporting immigrant families, greater community-based violence prevention program funding, bringing down everyday costs for working families and building affordable housing are all top priorities of mine as we enter budget talks,” Ortíz said. “While we made strong fiscal decisions that allowed us to pay down debts, secure pension payments, upgrade our credit and much more, we have to do more to better ensure working families receive the support they need. 

“Budgets are reflections of what we as a state value most. For too long, these budgets have not reflected the needs of communities of color and the most vulnerable. We have a chance to change that, and I look forward to doing so.”