* As we’ve discussed, yesterday’s Black Caucus rally was pretty darned raucous and filled with angry denunciations of Gov. Pritzker’s budget address. The full caucus issued a toned-down statement today…

Following Governor JB Pritzker’s annual budget address, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to addressing systemic inequities by calling for greater investments in education, workforce development and public safety.

“While our nation is deeply divided, Illinois remains one of the few states that is primed, energized and prepared for the challenges ahead,” said State Senator Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago), Illinois Legislative Black Caucus joint chair. “We can only prevail against these challenges by enhancing the diversity of our legislative process and protecting the core values that bring us together.”

Members of the Black Caucus emphasized the need for targeted funding to expand academic opportunities for low-income and minority students, increase access to trade programs in communities of color, and enhance public safety efforts, particularly in areas disproportionately affected by gun violence.

“As Senate chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, I am committed to upholding the values of Black empowerment and advancing meaningful change in our communities,” said Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago), Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Senate chair. “Our most vulnerable populations deserve strong and effective leadership to ensure invest in high-quality accessible vocational education, business revitalization, and Black maternal health. By providing these essential tools, we can create lasting opportunities and build a stronger, more equitable future for all of Illinois.”

Despite past budget proposals including measures to address systemic inequities, data continues to show persistent gaps in resources and outcomes for Black communities. Black Caucus members are committed to ensuring that the final FY26 budget prioritizes the necessary funding to drive meaningful change.

“The ILBC demonstrated our resilience when we made history and passed our Black Caucus pillars. This was amazing, but we all know that these are simply just words on a piece of paper,” said State Representative Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago), Illinois Legislative Black Caucus House chair. “We must now usher in a new era, a new day, a new chapter where we have a budget that funds these critical programs, vital services, and very important initiatives. By doing this, we can achieve and accomplish the goals and the objectives of our pillars, criminal justice reform, education, health, and economic development.”

In the coming weeks, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus will work closely to advocate for a budget that fully reflects the needs of Black and Brown communities across the state.

* Meanwhile, I told subscribers about this statement from the governor’s press office earlier today…

Governor Pritzker has been a strong ally to the Black community in Illinois and helped deliver critical funds over the past six years on key priorities, including investments to improve birth equity and material health, the child tax credit, workforce training and youth employment programs, and violence prevention. While this budget includes tough decisions and fiscal discipline, we are still maintaining commitments to core priorities, including funding for the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA)’s violence prevention services, increasing MAP grant funding, and more. Governor Pritzker looks forward to an open dialogue with Black Caucus Members about advancing these shared priorities.

Discuss.