Following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) released the following statement regarding her support:

“The Fiscal Year 2026 budget touches on key components that will prioritize working families in Illinois, while still maintaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility.

“One of the most important investments prioritized in the budget is continued and much-needed funding for our education system and public schools. As a former teacher, and now chair of the Senate Education Committee, I understand how crucial financial support is to not only our schools, but also the children who attend them.

“Aside from investments in K-12 schools, this budget maintains significant commitments to early childhood education and higher education. It continues to fund Smart Start Illinois, expanding preschool access for children, and provides funding for the new Department of Early Childhood that will focus on administering early childhood education programs. Higher education will also see investments, including a $10 million increase for MAP grant funding.

“With uncertainties present in federal funding, Illinois is making it clear that we care about our education system, and we will do everything we can to ensure schools get the funding they deserve.”