Rita Joins Governor to Enact State Budget Prioritizing Affordability for Illinoisans

CHICAGO –State Representative Robert “Bob” Rita joined Gov. JB Pritzker Tuesday as he signed into law the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget that makes numerous investments in communities across Illinois, including millions of dollars in state funding secured by Rita for cities and towns in the Southland’s 28th House District.

“Affordability was our most important focus for this year,” Rep. Rita said. “The cost of living and costs to raise a family continue to rise – from groceries to gas to healthcare – and we worked to ensure this year’s budget supports hard-working families and communities.”

The budget makes critical investments in food security like free and reduced lunch for students,
local schools, public safety programs, safety net hospitals, and healthcare for at-risk communities. The budget also includes resources communities need to provide property tax relief and a temporary freeze on the state gas tax. It also includes important funding to address the lack of affordable housing across Illinois.

Additionally, during the spring legislative session, Rita was the House sponsor of legislation (Senate Bill 3561) to protect consumers from so-called buy-now-pay-later loan purchase options. The bill is being sent to the governor’s desk for consideration.

“Just like any other form of credit, buy-now-pay-later needs sensible, balanced regulation to better protect consumers,” Rep. Rita said. “The bill will bring much-needed accountability, licensing, and transparency to the industry while maintaining this flexible and convenient option
at checkout.”

Rita also supported legislation to expand access to dental care for low-income and rural areas, require businesses to honor advertised coupons, prohibit hospitals from placing liens on patients’ homes, and expand speech therapy services under both public and private insurance companies. He also supported measures to bank junk fees, ban cellphones in schools and stop unfair insurance hikes.

For more information, call 708-396-2822 or e-mail info@robertbobrita.com.