SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget:

“This balanced budget fulfills our commitment to students through the evidence-based funding model that has supported the schools that need it most.

“The inclusion of a global intangible low taxed-income by the very wealthy is a first step toward reaching an equitable revenue system, but is not enough. Illinois must take longer strides to protect and support those living paycheck to paycheck and ensure that big corporations pay their fair share.

“Very tough choices must be made to protect our residents from the unethical destruction driven by the federal administration. These attempted policy changes by the federal administration do not represent the values that make Illinois strong. Now more than ever, we must stand up for one another in Illinois against the hateful speech that tries to divide us.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — State Senator Mark Walker is hosting a summer book club to amplify the importance of reading for students over summer break.

“Reading is a great way for young people to dive deeper into their passions and discover new stories,” said Walker (D- Arlington Heights). “I encourage students in the 27^th District to take part in the book club and enjoy their summer!”

The summer book club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Walker’s Arlington Heights office by Aug. 15. Every child who completes the summer book club will receive a gift card to Kilwin’s Ice Cream from Senator Walker.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS —State Senator Mark Walker announced over $9 million in grants from the Illinois Department of Transportation will fund four projects aimed at easing travel across the 27^th District.

“These projects are vital to building safer, more accessible methods of travel for the 27^th District community,” said Walker (D-Arlington Heights). “I am proud that these developments are coming to the community and will continue to advocate for more efforts to ease transportation in the district.”

SPRINGFIELD — On the 50^th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and fall of Saigon that took place April 30, 1975, State Senator Mark Walker spoke on his experience serving in the Vietnam War during a press conference on Wednesday.

“After I served in the Vietnam War, my mother asked me why I did it,” said Walker (D-Arlington Heights). “I told her I fought for the Bill of Rights, for freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of assembly. Those freedoms are what I fought for and what my friends fought for. We fought alongside the South Vietnamese who fought for the same freedoms we did, for their country.”