State Sen. Dale Fowler

SPRINGFIELD - "While I can recognize the efforts of the new administration to hit the ground running, I have serious concerns about the how the governor's proposed budget will impact Southern Illinois. Broad and unrealistic proposals, such as a shortsighted minimum-wage increase, a costly progressive income tax system or Band-Aid fixes for Illinois' ballooning pension crisis, will have lasting detrimental consequences on the region.

"In his inaugural address earlier this year, Gov. Pritzker vowed to do more for Southern Illinois, and I was encouraged to hear him reiterate that commitment today in his address. Hopefully, he will put action behind his words, and from here, we can move forward in a bipartisan manner that will help Southern Illinois and tackle the very real issues facing our state."