SPRINGFIELD - Statement from Senate President John Cullerton regarding the passing of an education and emergency budget in Illinois today:

“My priority all along has been for the state to provide the resources so that schools can open and stay open. This budget accomplishes that goal. Obviously the governor and I don’t’ always see eye-to-eye, but in our recent meetings we’ve been able to identify shared priorities and common ground. We’re going to need to continue to build on both to get our state to where it needs to be. But, for now, today’s success fuels my optimism that grander things are in our future.”