Only an idiot would think we should eliminate emergency response in a natural disaster, education and healthcare for disabled children, gang crime investigations, clean air and water programs, monitoring of nursing home abuse, nuclear reactor regulation, and cancer research.

Unlike certain departments of government efficiency, our spending will reflect reality.

We are proposing cost-saving operational efficiencies, consolidating unnecessary funds, eliminating dormant boards and commissions, and overhauling state purchasing to save taxpayers money.

The days of unchecked health insurance greed are coming to an end here in Illinois.

We're dismantling predatory practices one by one to lower the cost of health care for working families.

This year, we’re banning prior authorization for all behavioral health care.

A sudden illness or accident shouldn't leave you with a lifetime sentence of poverty.

Today I'm announcing a second batch of medical debt cancellations, made possible through our landmark program established last year.

Over 100,000 Illinoisans have now seen their debt erased.

There's one thing teachers and parents alike are citing as an impediment to our students' success and mental health: cell phones.

This session, we're moving forward with legislation requiring school districts to adopt a cell phone policy that bans their usage during class.

We can't lose the forward momentum we're making in our students' success.

Our historic investments in Evidence-Based Funding have led to higher test scores and graduation rates.

I believe in building on what works - our budget proposes an increase in our commitment.

Going along to get along doesn't work.

Just ask the Trump-fearing red state Governors dealing with the same cuts we are.

I won't be fooled twice.

Tyranny requires your fear and your silence and your compliance.

Democracy requires your courage.

So gather your justice and humanity, Illinois, and do not let despair overcome us when our country needs us the most.