J.B. Pritzker in 2023 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
Won't accept women losing rights, expanded pool of providers
When conservatives on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, they didn't strip the right to an abortion from wealthy women, they took it from the most vulnerable women. I won't accept that for the women of Illinois, and neither do the majority of
the people of Illinois. That's why, last month, we expanded our pool of abortion providers and eliminated barriers to access: allowing birth centers to provide all reproductive care, eliminating copays for birth control and abortive medications.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
On Budget & Economy:
Illinois has passed four balanced budgets in a row
What was once an Illinois with $17 billion in overdue bills is now an Illinois that pays its bills on time. What was once an Illinois that went years without a budget is now an Illinois that has passed four balanced budgets in a row. What was once
a state with no cushion to protect it in an economic downturn is now an Illinois on track to have a $2.3 billion Rainy Day Fund. What was once an Illinois with a credit rating on the verge of junk status is now an Illinois getting credit upgrades.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
On Budget & Economy:
Illinois Grocery Initiative to open/expand local grocers
It's time we return to a tried and true model -- one where those communities are served by independent, local grocery stores that sell food grown by Illinois farmers. This budget includes a first of its kind investment of $20 million to launch the
Illinois Grocery Initiative, assisting municipalities and independent grocers to open or expand grocery stores in underserved rural towns and urban neighborhoods -- with an additional $2 million going towards purchasing food from Illinois farmers.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
On Education:
State and Pell grants make community college tuition-free
This year, every single student who is eligible for a MAP grant now gets one, and we are providing larger scholarships than ever before. With a $100 million increase to MAP, we can make history. Together with Pell grants, virtually everyone at or below
median income in Illinois can go to community college tuition-free. That means higher wages and better jobs in healthcare, IT, construction management, manufacturing, accounting, and much more.Explanation from Illinois Student Assistance
Commission:MAP (Monetary Award Program) grants, which do not need to be repaid, are available to eligible Illinois residents who attend approved Illinois colleges and demonstrate financial need. To be eligible, you must:
- be a
U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
- be an Illinois resident
- demonstrate financial need
- be enrolled at an approved Illinois college
- maintain satisfactory academic progress
- not be in default on any student loan
- not be incarcerated
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
On Education:
Allow pre-school access for every three and four year old
Smart Start Pre-K is a four year plan that will allow access to pre-school for every three and four year old in Illinois. It will increase our funding for the Early Childhood Block Grant program this year by $75 million. Smart Start Pre-K will provide
new center-based and school-based classrooms, improve quality across the board, attract new professionals to the field, and ensure we reach our most vulnerable. In the first year alone, 5,000 more seats will be available.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
On Families & Children:
Childcare for those in a job search or job training program
Although we provide childcare assistance for parents who already have jobs, we've never before provided childcare for someone who's unemployed but looking for a job. It's nearly impossible to interview with an employer if you're simultaneously the
24/7 primary caregiver for your family. So, in 2021, we initiated a program that provides three months of childcare for unemployed parents who are engaged in a job search or a job training program in preparation for a new job.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
On Health Care:
Fund early intervention services for infants and toddlers
Smart Start Early Intervention funding will support the essential state program that gives infants and toddlers birth to age three with developmental delays, autism, or other diagnosed medical conditions the services they need, including for
speech and language challenges and occupational and physical therapies. For years, these families have suffered from underfunding of Early Intervention services. Not any longer.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
On Principles & Values:
In Illinois, we don't hide from the truth; we embrace it
There is a virulent strain of nationalism plaguing our nation, led by demagogues who are pushing censorship. It's an ideological battle by the right wing, hiding behind a claim that they would protect our children -- but whose real intention is to
marginalize people and ideas they don't like. This afternoon I've laid out a budget agenda that does everything possible to invest in the education of our children. Yet it's all meaningless if we ban books from school libraries about racism suffered by
Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron, and tell kids they can't talk about being gay, and signals to Black and Brown people and Asian Americans and
Jews and Muslims that our authentic stories can't be told. Here in Illinois, we don't hide from the truth, we embrace it. That's what makes us strong.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2023