SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget including support for mental health care services to facilitate access to quality care in a variety of areas. State Senator Laura Fine, chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, released the following statement in response:

“As Illinois continues to make progress in reducing barriers to mental health care services, we must be sure to address access for our most vulnerable residents.

“Over the course of this legislative session, I have worked closely with mental health care experts and my colleagues to establish a budget that strengthens health care protections and improves policies. I am pleased to see investments in mental health services on college campuses and our local nonprofits like NAMI. Mental health care is an indispensable resource for everyone, and the budget demonstrates the importance of mental health in every community."