- Published: Saturday, April 09, 2022 03:09 AM
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2023 budget and a new tax benefit plan which will help families and their children as well as communities as the state continues to gain more stable financial footing. State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) supported the budget and plan during Saturday’s vote.
“These past few months as budget discussions were underway, I heard from constituents looking to stabilize their households,” Pacione-Zayas said. “After a year of our state getting on a path of stronger fiscal footing, I am pleased to see the important investments under this budget.”
The tax relief plan responds to the call to permanently expand the Earned Income Tax Credit from 18% to 20% and expands accessibility to taxpayers 18-24 years of age, 65 and older, and taxpayers who use an individual taxpayer identification number. It also includes a property tax refund up to $300, funding for a one-time direct tax refund check to more than 95% of Illinois taxpayers, pauses the 1% sales tax on groceries and includes a sales tax pause on back-to-school supplies from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14 to provide some relief across Illinois households.
Pacione-Zayas, a strong advocate for early childhood education, is also pleased to see that the budget includes more than $592 million going toward that sector. It restores funding for Early Intervention for children with developmental delays and disabilities and increases funding for home visiting. Additionally, it includes an additional $350 million to fund K-12 student success through the evidence based funding model.
“Ongoing stresses of the pandemic have highlighted the need for strong community investment,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Violence prevention starts at the hyperlocal level, and investing money into early childhood education, after school programs and higher education assistance will help address root causes of violence while improving health and educational outcomes for our children.”
Pacione-Zayas is also proud to see millions of dollars for seed deposits for Child Savings Account to help families establish college savings for their children.
The budget also includes funding for programs like Teen REACH After School program, the Child Care Assistance Program, Redeploy Illinois, Monetary Award Program grants and more.
The budget passed the Senate Saturday, and if signed by the governor, will go into effect on July 1.
