State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, issued the following statement after approving a stopgap budget that allows schools to open on time and provides funding for services that working families across the state rely on:
“For over a year the governor and many in the legislature have denied working families the services they rely on and done significant damage to our economy. The funding I approved today allows our community schools to open on time, provides financial aid for low-income college students, and funds essential services that are relied on by home-bound seniors, children with disabilities and women who need breast and cervical cancer screenings.
“Unfortunately, the bill we passed today does not solve the whole problem. However, I will continue fighting for my community and for underprivileged communities across the state until we have a full budget that is balanced and prioritizes the needs of working families over the wants of the elite in Illinois.”