SPRINGFIELD, Ill - State Rep. Elgie Sims released the following statement after Gov. Bruce Rauner's Budget Address Wednesday:

"Today the governor addressed the people of Illinois, but during his address he failed to talk about actionable plans to protect middle-class families and keep our communities safe. I agree with the governor that our state can do more to improve our economic climate but we cannot sit back while families continue to struggle and our communities continue to suffer without a state budget.

"Every day in the city of Chicago innocent lives are lost, and the governor's response to this epidemic is to put more officers on the streets. We need proactive measures to help combat gun violence and keep our children and communities safe.

"One of my top priorities remains providing educational opportunities for our state and funding for our schools remains a top priority of the House Democratic Caucus. Today the governor missed the opportunity to call for ways to provide additional resources for our schools by asking the wealthy to pay their fair share."

"The governor talked about job creation but failed to address workers' rights and increasing the minimum wage to improve the quality of life for working families. He did not mention any plan to help grow and protect the middle-class and the values that we stand for. The governor's budget is a budget that protects the 1 percent while leaving the middle-class behind and neglecting working families."

"I call on the governor to take action. For the last three years the governor has failed in his constitutional duty to propose a balanced budget and the people of our state cannot continue to suffer as a result. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the governor to lift up Illinois and move toward a brighter future."

"Local businesses are the backbone of our communities. We must invest are resources into them as they have invested their resources into our neighborhoods allowing them to further grow and prosper." - State Rep. Elgie Sims.

Earlier this month, Rep. Sims hosted a Local Business Leader Roundtable in Momence in Kankakee County. The theme of the roundtable focused on where we can create opportunities for growth and sustanability for local business in the area. 

Sims explains, "With the current state of the economy it is going to take a collaborative effort to tackle the issues facing our local businesses. As an elected official I'm obligated to help provide any means of relief I can for businesses in the communities I serve."

This is the first of many local business roundtables Rep. Sims will be hosting throughout his District. For more information or if you are a local business leader in the 34th District please reach out to our office at [email protected] or (773)783-8800. 

"I had the great opportunity of delivering the keynote address to the sophomore class of Butler College Preparatory High School for their 3rd Annual "Success Looks Like Me" Career Fair.

"Thank you to Principal Christopher Goins and the team at Butler for hosting an awesome event that invests in the future of our community - our students."

Congratulations to Butler College Prep for being named Chicago Magazine's 2016 TOP CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL!

"I've always said that the best opportunity for anyone to be successful in any career is for them to get an education. In the 34th District I'm blessed to have many schools that have received numerous accolades for their passion and ability to educate our children.

In giving appreciation to the schools we often forget to uplift those, in addition to the faculty and staff, who make the schools great - the students. With that being said I'm honored to congratulate Destiny Ford for receiving over $300,000 in scholarships from various colleges and universities!" - Rep. Sims.

Ms. Ford is a resident of the 34th District and senior student leader at Butler College Preparatory High School located 821 E. 103rd St. Chicago, IL.