SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor outlined his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026:

“I remain committed to ensuring that we provide critical care for our seniors, a quality education for our youth, and a comprehensive set of policies to ensure the safety of our residents.

“Additionally, we will need to work to fund a robust public transit system that enables our essential workers to provide the programs and services our residents rely on while also addressing the need for an adequate retirement for our public servants.

“Over the next few months, I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to negotiate a budget that not only continues to make Illinois a great place to live, but also one that addresses the needs of our communities.”