SPRINGFIELD - Illinois State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) released the following statement in response to Governor Bruce Rauner’s budget address on Wednesday:

"There are so many issues in which we can agree upon,” said Haine. “It is time to sit down and find common ground for funding for our students, our universities, Alzheimer’s patients and those who are feeling the real impact of this budget impasse. It is time we work together to solve this budgetary crisis and work toward a caring and compassionate state.”

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Senate passed a measure Thursday to approve funding that will allow struggling college students the ability to continue their education.

State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) voted to approve funding for the state’s Monetary Award Grant program, which was originally approved last May, but vetoed by Governor Rauner thereby freezing the funds.

“There are many students who rely on MAP grants for their college tuition,” said Haine. “Today we voted to ensure students have the opportunity to have access to a quality education. With this legislation we are investing in students’, as well as our state’s future. We must not turn our back on this.”

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Illinois State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) released the following statement in response to Governor Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address on Wednesday:

“I appreciate the governor trying to be more bipartisan and acknowledge he is willing to work with us on some issues,” Haine said. “However the fact is we are not paying our bills. College students are not receiving their financial aid, homebound seniors continue to suffer and mothers are lacking access to day care. I hope the governor is ready to sit down and engage in an open and constructive dialogue on these issues. I am willing to work with the governor in order to get Illinois back on track.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) and Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) are supporting legislation that would move $12,000,000 from the Disaster Response and Recovery Fund to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for 2016 to aid with disaster recovery in Illinois.

“Recently communities throughout Illinois have seen a great deal of destruction, and the floods that have occurred due to heavy rain fall have devastated areas throughout the Metro East,” Haine said. When this sort of thing happens, businesses close and people are put out of their homes. I want to be sure our communities have the resources they need to quickly address issues related to natural disasters.”

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