Hirschauer Prioritizes Efforts to Help Families Save, Strengthen Schools, and Invest in Safe Communities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is highlighting efforts to cut costs for families, improve access to healthcare, strengthen local schools, and keep families safe during the recent legislative session. 

“My top priority as a lawmaker is to ensure the health and safety of my neighbors and I believe these priorities are reflected in our budget. Our state budget is both socially and fiscally responsible,” said Hirschauer. “By investing in our schools and upping funds to improve public safety, we’re on a healthy path to seeing communities statewide see relief.”

Continuing her effort to rebuild Illinois’ fiscal house, Hirschauer passed a new state budget that trimmed nearly $75 million in administrative costs and grew the state’s rainy day fund. Hirschauer prioritized new investments in early childhood education, which will create new opportunities for 5,000 of Illinois’ youngest learners and allow working families much-needed access to childcare. Thriving schools lead to thriving neighborhoods, which is why Hirschauer supported an increase of  $350 million for elementary and secondary schools, and additional access to college financial aid such as MAP Grants. 

Hirschauer delivered major reforms to help cut the cost of living. A new $50 million child tax credit will help families raising young children as they face rising costs. Additionally, she supported a $10 million state investment that will eliminate $1 billion in family medical debt. Hirschauer also voted to eliminate a state sales tax on groceries and give local governments more tools to get serious about property tax relief. 

Keeping communities safe is a constant priority for Hirschauer, which is why she supported smart investments in community-based approaches to violence prevention and funding to ensure that police have the resources they need to combat crime. Hirschauer voted to hire and train 200 new state troopers, and added funding to help local departments recruit and retain officers. As suburban libraries and religious organizations also see increasing threats of violence, Hirschauer worked to create new protections for library workers and new state resources to combat hate crimes.