SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones (D-Chicago) offered the following remarks in response to Governor Rauner’s State of the State Address:

“I am excited to work with Governor Rauner and learn more about his agenda to fix Illinois’ budget issues,” Jones said. “He mentioned the need for budget cuts and structural reorganization, but his latest executive order that froze $7.5 million to help at-risk youth and $300 million for struggling families is unconscionable. This is not the compassion Illinois that Governor Rauner talked about after winning; I want to work with him to help communities of need.”

“In November, the people of Illinois were loud and clear about their support for a minimum wage increase,” Jones continued. “The overwhelming support indicates that we need this now and not over the course of seven years – by then inflation will be even further from a livable wage.”