SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) issued the following statement after hearing the governor’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal:

“Middle class and working families have faced grave financial despair over recent years – from the COVID-19 pandemic to inflation. It’s vital that we continue to set families and children up for success by fully funding the education system, providing more workforce development opportunities and increasing MAP grant eligibility.

“As a teacher, I know firsthand the effects of the ongoing teacher shortage. While there is more work to be done to attract young people to the field, I am pleased the proposal includes recruitment and retention efforts to improve the teacher pipeline.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues over the coming months to pass a balanced budget that prioritizes education, teachers and working families.”