Welcome
Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is always an honor to serve the people of the 16th Legislative District in the Illinois General Assembly. On my website, you can learn more about me and the issues I work hard to address for our community and our state. Your opinions are important to me, and I urge you to contact my Springfield or Chicago office if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Senator Jacqueline Collins
State Senator, 16th District
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago 16th) issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of a balanced budget that pays long overdue bills and averts education cuts:
Budgets are moral documents that show us where our priorities lie. This year I am proud to vote for a budget that places value on education, violence prevention and human services providers.
In allocating $650 million to pay providers what the state owes them – including $350 million for developmental disabilities providers – this budget reflects the value of the dedicated individuals who care for our most vulnerable residents. In fully funding the Community Care Program and beginning to repair our torn safety net, this budget reflects the values of compassion and justice. And in restoring all of the money the governor’s proposal would have cut from K-12 education, this budget reflects the value we place on our children and their future opportunities.
Together with expanded Medicaid eligibility that will bring $12 billion in federal funding and tens of thousands of jobs to Illinois in the next seven years while providing health care to nearly 350,000 people, this budget puts us back on the right track. I am also pleased to announce $10 million for new competitive after-school program grants. These will help non-profits reach youth in low-performing schools in high-crime areas.
The reduction in the overall human services budget is disappointing. We have far to go to meet the needs of all our residents. This year’s budget is an encouraging start, and I will continue working to build a stronger Illinois that uplifts vulnerable people and struggling communities.
Senate and House Democrats worked together this year on a budget designed to address the state’s liabilities while funding core services.