SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) expressed a willingness to work with the Governor to correct the shortcomings the State has developed over recent years. Hastings noted that in the Governor's address there were some proposals that held merit while others fell short.

Hastings approved of the governor's plan to reinvest in the criminal justice system and Adult Redeploy Program, which helps reduce the recidivism rate in Illinois.

"I've been inside our prisons. I know that they need additional correctional officers to maintain their safety," Hastings said. "Also, programs like Adult Redeploy should be invested in to help steer offenders away from re-entering prison."

The Governor also proposed a new outlook on education funding, which would increase funding for early childhood education while opening the door for a heavier reliance on charter schools and vocational training in community college.

"Funding early childhood education is essential for a young child's success in the future. However, we must focus on improving the schools we have, not creating separate and unequal charter schools," Hastings said.

Finally, to address the need for a minimum wage increase, the Governor proposed raising the minimum wage 25 cents per year to $10 over a period of seven years.

"We have people across Illinois who are struggling to get by," Hastings said. "Moreover, the majority of Illinois voted for the increase in the minimum wage now, not seven years from now," Hastings said.