Harmon vows to protect women’s right to choose

CHICAGO - Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) released the following statement on reports indicating that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade:

“The Supreme Court seems ready to deprive millions of women the right to choose. This is upsetting, but not shocking. It’s why we took so many steps in Illinois to protect this fundamental right.

“The Republican Party continues to disregard the will of the people. This is the most extreme example yet.

“As long as there is a Democratic majority in the Illinois State Senate, women will have their rights protected. We will stand as a bulwark against any efforts to turn back the clock to darker days.”

Senate President Don Harmon on 'Sound of the State' podcast

Senate President Don Harmon reveals his musical side, sharing some favorite songs and fun anecdotes in this episode of our Sound of the State podcast series.

Harmon statement on Legislative Inspector General nomination

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement after the State Senate advanced a resolution nominating Judge Michael McCuskey to be the new Legislative Inspector General:

“The position of Legislative Inspector General is too important to stay vacant for as long as it has. An impasse is not an option, so we are taking decisive action to move forward with an excellent candidate.

Judge McCuskey has an impeccable record and is widely known as an extremely ethical person. He has a history of working in a bipartisan manner and a distinguished record as a judge. He was nominated for a federal judgeship by Bill Clinton and confirmed by a Republican-controlled U.S Senate and later served 15 years on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism.

I am confident he will serve the State of Illinois well.”

Harmon responds to Pritzker budget address

OAK PARK – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his annual budget proposal:

“I’m not accustomed to good news in a budget speech.

This is a budget proposal unlike any I’ve seen in my time in the Senate.

It speaks to the work we’ve done, together, to bring stability to our state finances.

That stability allows us to invest back in our state and provide relief to those hit hardest by the pandemic and associated economic downturn.

There’s a lot to like with this plan, and I look forward to working with the governor to produce a final product.”