SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes released the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s budget proposal Wednesday:

“In recent years, we’ve built a more secure fiscal position for Illinois. The governor’s proposed budget builds on those previous accomplishments to ensure this stability continues, with attention to current economic realities.

“Right now, food insecurity is a growing problem for many Illinois families. My Farm to Food Bank Program is building a supply chain where farmers can give surplus food to food banks across the state for hungry families. Advancing from a plan to putting meals on tables will require funds, and the governor indicated his commitment to provide more fresh foods – meat, dairy, produce – than food banks sometimes have.

“With the governor’s proposal shared for consideration, now it is our turn, and lawmakers will consider our obligations and priorities alongside the needs of Illinois families for the coming year and beyond.”