SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement after the Illinois Senate voted to send the Fiscal Year 2022 budget to the governor:

“This is a responsible budget that prioritizes an equitable recovery for small businesses and working families.

“It uses federal dollars to fund over $570 million in economic recovery initiatives. Combined with state resources, our small business community will have opportunities to build back better.

“This budget also invests in working families by funding $100 million in affordable housing initiatives and steady funding for education at all levels.”