SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Focused on building a stronger Illinois that offers more opportunity for
everyone, state Rep. Margaret Croke, D-Chicago, supported a fiscally and socially responsible state
budget plan Saturday that prioritizes investment for classrooms, public safety efforts and critically-
needed health care.
“This balanced budget protects core essential services residents depend on, and is a reflection of our
priorities and values,” Croke said. “It builds on our work to remove dangerous weapons of war from
our streets, and it underscores our commitment to be a national leader when it comes to reproductive
freedoms.”
The budget plan Croke supported includes millions more for early childhood education, childcare and
higher education grants that allow more people to pursue a degree. As part of the state’s evidence-
based funding model, schools will see a $350 million funding increase. First responders will receive
$100 million, while another $138 million is headed toward the state’s rainy-day fund to prepare for
future challenges. On top of the state’s statutory requirements, another $200 million will further assist
pension funds and create greater long-term stability.
Croke also led passage this session of a proposal to target school bullying and ensure parents are
informed of what their child is going through (House Bill 3425). She also passed a plan that clarifies
HMO laws to allow patients to access in-network services and providers without actively obtaining a
referral from their primary care physician (House Bill 1186).
“This has been a productive session, but there’s still a lot more work left to do to help families across
our state,” Croke said. “I’m looking forward to the conversations I will have with stakeholders across
our community this summer, and of the solutions we will be able to work on together.”
For more information, please contact Info@RepCroke.com.