Reaction is mixed from area lawmakers on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s budget address delivered Wednesday in Springfield.

Oswego Democratic State Representative Stephanie Kifowit says she applauds the governor for paying down Illinois’ backlog of bills and proposal to increase pension payments. Kifowit says she would still like to see more by way of reducing property taxes and even more money being put into the state’s rainy day fund. Kifowit sits on the Illinois House Budget Working Group.

Morris Republican State Senator Sue Rezin thinks that some of the governor’s proposed tax cuts on gas and groceries and property tax rebates are good ideas, but she wants them to be permanent.

Aurora Democratic State Representative Barbara Hernandez says it’s encouraging that Governor Prtizker shares many of her same concerns when it comes to the state budget, but that she would like to continue to see more focus on affordable housing and healthcare needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hernandez also wants to see more effort toward criminal justice reforms.

Dixon Republican State Representative Tom Demmer says the governor seems to have a rosier view of the state’s budget than he has in the past. Demmer says Pritzker’s attitude toward the budget changes depending on his agenda.

It’s up to the Illinois House and Senate to sort out the budget and send it back to the governor for his signature. The governor’s speech often highlights his legislative priorities for the year.