SPRINGFIELD – Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) responded to Gov. JB Pritzker’s Budget Address Wednesday with the following statement:

“As a career-long advocate for early childhood education, I am excited to hear that Governor Pritzker intends to invest and strengthen programs that support children from birth to age five. Beyond that, he has a plan to invest in all levels of education, suicide prevention and criminal justice.

“The budgeting process is always difficult, but starting with a vision focused on our most vulnerable populations is always a good beginning.”