SPRINGFIELD – In response to the governor’s State of the State address, State Senator Emil Jones III (D- Chicago) released the following statement:

“Our health care system is in a crisis right now. It is unfortunate that the governor did not mention the hospital assessment in his address. The reality for hospitals in my district and in surrounding areas is the dire need for additional revenue. We have had hospitals turn patients away because they do not have enough resources to aid the most vulnerable. It’s simple—access to quality health care is non-negotiable. We are demanding the governor to be fair and compassionate during budget talks. It is difficult to work in good faith with a governor that continues to propose cuts to essential health care services.”