State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget on Sunday:

“Setting our state and communities up for success begins with ensuring access to a high-quality education. As a community college graduate, I am encouraged that the expansion of financial assistance will allow even more community college and university students to achieve their higher education goals without taking on debt. Further, investing in local after-school programs provided by the Elgin and Dundee Boys & Girls Clubs will give our youth safe and supportive environments and expanded learning opportunities.

“Getting by shouldn’t be the financial burden it has become. Economic relief in the form of a child tax credit, an emergency services volunteer tax credit and eliminating the statewide grocery tax will bring stability and breathing room to working families across the Northwest Suburbs. The expansion of the live theater tax credit will give a boost to our performing arts industry and drive new tourism and job opportunities across the state.

“Thanks to our balanced budgeting approach over the last five years, we are continuing to move our fiscal house forward. Investments in our pension system and saving for the future have led to increases in our bond ratings, and the budget we passed today is another step in the right direction.”