SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

“Once again, Illinois has produced a balanced budget that prioritizes health care and education while relieving tax burdens on hardworking Illinoisans. The budget provides critical funding to meet the needs of early childhood programs, K-12 schools and community colleges, and increases funding for need-based financial assistance so almost any college-bound student can receive financial aid. Creating an educated workforce is the best investment we can make for Illinois’ future.

“By raising the minimum wage for direct support professionals and community care providers, we are bolstering the workforce and ensuring seniors and people with disabilities have the support that they need. Additional reimbursements for remote ultrasounds and music therapy services will ensure that the health and wellbeing of all Illinoisans is both accessible and affordable.

“Continuing on the theme of helping the middle and working classes, eliminating the grocery sales tax is a major step toward relieving the burden on hardworking families. To increase available funding, we are ensuring companies making record profits pay their fair share in ways that cannot be passed down to consumers, which will provide even more financial relief to middle-class households.

“In all, this budget ensures Illinois stays on our path to fiscal solvency while funding the most needed programs.”