SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D–Frankfort) issued the following statement regarding the passage of the Illinois state budget:

“When I think about this budget, I think about the moms and dads working long hours, the teachers shaping young minds, and the families doing their best to build a good life here in Illinois. My job is to make sure government works for them—and this budget takes steps to do just that.

“It’s not perfect. There are parts I supported and parts I did not. But it keeps our schools open, supports our social service agencies, and invests in the infrastructure that makes our communities safe and connected.

“Illinois, like many states across the nation, will face extraordinary challenges in the coming years. These pressures—many of them coming from the federal level—will test our resolve and our ability to adapt.

“As members of the General Assembly, we are called to serve our communities. Should we get the call to come back to Springfield to tackle the continued uncertainties from the federal government, we will do so. We owe it to the people we serve to stay vigilant, work together and keep our focus on solutions.

“I’ll continue to fight for policies that put families first, that make life a little easier for those doing the hard work every day and that honor the trust you’ve placed in me to lead.”