SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) released the following statement regarding the governor’s budget address this afternoon:

“I was extremely grateful to see education be a major priority in the proposed budget. As a past school board member and a member of the Senate Education Committee, I have witnessed how important it is for continued investment in our state’s education system. Children and young adults are the future of Illinois and increased funding for early childhood, K-12 and higher education will help the students of Illinois thrive and will certainly be beneficial in the long-run.

“Alongside this, we have worked to propel Illinois’ infrastructure and economic development in the    past and will continue to do so by focusing on these priorities in the upcoming year. As the current chair of the Senate Appropriations- Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee, I’m looking forward to having further negotiations regarding economic development for the Metro East, as well as all communities across the state.

“I believe the proposed budget is a good starting point to put the state on the right track and I’m eager to work with my colleagues and the governor to ensure a budget is passed that will benefit the people of this state.”