Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) on Friday reacted to news of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of funding for Illinois’ Monetary Award Program, which provides tuition assistance for college low- and middle-income students:

“Today, Gov. Rauner turned his back on thousands of Illinois college students who were counting on him to fulfill the promise he made to them to provide tuition assistance. The governor’s disregard for higher education apparently knows no limits,” Harmon said.

The legislation is Senate Bill 2043.

Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement today in reaction to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget address to the General Assembly:

“Last year Gov. Rauner presented the General Assembly with a budget proposal that was $6 billion out of balance. To this day, he has not charted a course for getting us in balance.

“Today, during this year’s budget address, the governor did not present a budget at all. Instead, he laid out stark and unrealistic choices – threats, really – for the General Assembly and for Illinois. His ultimatum is for lawmakers to either enact elements of his extreme agenda or abdicate our legislative responsibility and give him unilateral authority to cut programs and services as he sees fit.

“I find it interesting that Gov. Rauner is asking for a power that the Illinois Constitution already offers every governor – the power to line-item veto budget bills, which he failed to exercise last year.

“The governor is asking for a power already granted to him under the Illinois Constitution – the power to line-item veto – which he failed to use last year, instead issuing total vetoes that halted progress. Today was further evidence of his all-or-nothing demands, rather than a willingness to use tools designed to promote compromise and seek real solutions.

“Gov. Rauner spoke of priorities and coming together to fix the state’s long-term challenges. I believe Democrats in the General Assembly share the governor’s desire to unleash the full economic potential of Illinois. We disagree vigorously on the steps that effort requires.

“For example, rather than drive down wages and benefits for the middle class – which some of Gov. Rauner’s preferred policies would do – I would welcome the governor’s support for implementing a fair tax for all Illinoisans and doing away with the state’s constitutional provision for a flat, regressive tax.

“There are opportunities to collaborate on solutions to Illinois’ problems. If Gov. Rauner is willing to compromise – truly compromise, not just rebrand his extreme anti-middle class initiatives – then we can work together.”

Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) was presented with a 2016 Champion of Democracy award from Common Cause Illinois Wednesday night.

Harmon was recognized for his advocacy on behalf of early childhood education, government oversight and ethics, and expanded voting access.

Common Cause noted Harmon’s efforts to bring same-day voter registration to Illinois, as well as online voter registration and an expanded early voting period.

Harmon also supports proposed legislation to introduce automatic voter registration in Illinois. Such a system would allow eligible voters to automatically update their voter registration any time they update or renew their driver’s licenses.

“I will take whatever criticism is leveled at me for trying to expand access to the vote, because I cannot imagine a scenario where our world is not better off with more people participating,” Harmon said.

“If we make it easier to vote, to register, make it easier to get to the polling place on Election Day or to vote early by mail – the more we do to include people in our democracy, to include people in our decision making, the better decisions we’ll make.”

Harmon thanked Common Cause for the honor of being a 2016 champion of democracy, noting that while he is flattered and humbled to be singled out, he is happy to share the recognition with all of the people who have a hand in the initiatives he’s championed.

“It is so important that we make government more accountable, more transparent and – I think most importantly – less responsive to big money,” he said. “We are better off as a democracy when the field is level, when everyone’s voice is heard, when no one’s voice is so amplified that it drowns out everybody else’s voice.”

• Watch the video interview Common Cause did with Senator Harmon.

Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) was among the members of Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus to be publicly acknowledged by President Barack Obama during his speech to the Illinois General Assembly Wednesday in Springfield.

Obama noted Illinois' role as a progressive leader in the nation – championing matters of diversity, the working class and voting access – and challenged the state to keep it up. The president offered a shout out to Harmon regarding his recent efforts to allow same-day voter registration.

"Thanks to the good work of my dear friend, Senator Don Harmon, and many of you, there's a new law going into effect this year that will allow Illinoisans to register and vote at the polls on Election Day," Obama said. "It expands early voting – something that makes it a lot easier for working folks and busy parents to go vote."

Harmon was lead sponsor of Senate Bill 172, which expanded same-day voter registration in Illinois. It was the latest effort by Harmon to modernize the voting system in Illinois and make it easier for people to participate in elections.

Harmon said he is thrilled that President Obama considers voter participation a key component of improving American government.

"I think he put forth a plan for what could be a real turning point for the American body politic. I look forward to being part of this important conversation,” Harmon said.

• Read President Obama's speech or watch it here.

(Photo: Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus pose for a photo with President Barack Obama, a former Democratic Illinois state senator, prior to his speech at the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016.)

Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement about President Barack Obama’s address to the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016:

“President Obama delivered a magnificent speech to the Illinois General Assembly and offered a timely call for a better politics. It was simultaneously a reminder of the nobility of public service and a warning about the fragility of our democracy if we don’t work every day to protect it.

“I was thrilled that the president made voter participation a key ingredient in his recipe for a better America. I think he put forth a plan for what could be a real turning point for the American body politic. I look forward to being part of this important conversation.”