Response to Governor Pritzker’s FY24 Budget Address

Feb 15, 2023

Illinois Partners for Human Service: Statement on Governor Pritzker’s FY24 Budget Address

CHICAGO, IL — In response to today’s Budget Address, Illinois Partners for Human Service recognizes and appreciates the priorities outlined in this budget for the health and human services sector. Specifically, we appreciate the Smart Start Illinois investments in childcare and early intervention services, increased funding to address and reduce homelessness, and rate increases for developmental disability services.

Our health and human service coalition partners have been on the frontlines shouldering the burden of care for our communities. While increased state and federal dollars have been directed to our sector over the past two years, very little of this funding has addressed the systemic challenges facing the health and human services workforce. We appreciate the Governor’s acknowledgement of these structural issues, but we are far from where we need to be. More work – and investment – is needed to rectify the consequences of twenty years of disinvestment in the health and human service sector in our state.

We look forward to working with the administration and our legislators to do everything possible to increase investment in the human services workforce and reduce administrative burden for community providers. These organizations are trusted by their community members, and their work is essential to the well-being of all Illinoisans.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Lauren Wright, lauren@illinoispartners.org

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Illinois Partners is the largest shared voice of human service organizations across the state with coalition partners in every county and legislative district. Illinois Partners focuses on collective advocacy to protect funding and fair policies for human services so that all Illinois residents can reach their potential and fully engage in our communities.

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