SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) released the following statement regarding Gov. JB Pritzker State of the State and budget address Wednesday:

“I received many calls from families about their unemployment difficulties throughout this pandemic. I can say that I strongly support the governor’s decision to invest more funding in call center workers, IT resources, and fraud analysis at the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

“In addition, as a person who supports entrepreneurship, the proposal will increase funding to continue to support our small businesses through the Cannabis Social Equity Local Program. Disadvantaged communities will also continue to receive capital grant funding to grow economic development opportunities through the Shovel Ready Sites Program and opportunity zone investments.

“Lastly, I appreciate the governor considering to provide funding to the Black Caucus reforms to remove barriers and promote inclusion for Illinois’ Black population. However, I look forward to working with the governor to ensure this statement becomes a reality for Black communities. Black and Brown communities were the most impacted by COVID-19 and they need to be made a priority.”