Speaker Welch Passes Budget Focused on Relief, Education and Public Safety

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Emphasizing the need to support families facing hardship from the pandemic and inflation, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch helped shepherd in a state budget package that provides direct relief to residents, increases investment in child care assistance and directs additional resources to programs that target the underlying causes of violence.

"This is a fiscally and socially responsible budget that responds to the diverse needs of families across Illinois," said Speaker Welch. "This budget delivers $1.8 billion in much-needed tax relief, it pays all of our bills and makes significant investments in public safety."

The state budget includes direct checks to working families at $50 per individual and $100 per child (up to three children for each family). It suspends the tax on groceries for one year, and institutes a six month freeze on motor fuel taxes. As part of the relief package, property tax rebates will be doubled (up to $300 per household) and the Earned Income Tax Credit will be permanently expanded.

Public safety funding was increased by nearly half a billion in this budget, with new dollars going toward youth intervention programs, witness protection and police recruitment. More than $70 million has been allocated for domestic violence prevention, as well as $2 million for expanding trauma recovery centers.

Schools are expected to receive more funding, with more than $350 million in additional resources being directed toward classrooms under the evidence-based funding formula. The package builds on fiscally-responsible action that has eliminated the state's bill backlog, paid down debt early and raised credit ratings. This year's budget also directs $1 billion toward a once-depleted rainy day fund.

"Democrats have once again proven that we are the party of fiscal responsibility," said Speaker Welch. "This budget continues to put our state on the path of financial surety, while also putting money back into the pockets of hardworking Illinoisans."