Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Lt Gov Simon Backs Bill to Eliminate Legislative Scholarships
SPRINGFIELD – February 22, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today put her support behind a House bill that would abolish a legislative scholarship program that more than half of the state’s legislators are voluntarily abstaining from this year.
Simon backed House Bill 3810, sponsored by Rep. Fred Crespo, which passed out of the state government administrative committee 14-3 today. Earlier this month, the Better Government Association delivered an online petition with more than 600 signatures in support of the program’s abolishment to the Lt. Governor and state leaders.
Simon said: “While legislative scholarships help a small number of students, the program’s abuse comes at an incredibly high cost in terms of trust in government and absorbed tuition at colleges and universities. We would do better by our schools and students if we strengthened the need-based Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants that help thousands of Illinois students across the state fulfill their dreams of higher education. By eliminating the legislative scholarship program, Illinois can take a meaningful step toward improving our ethical standards, while focusing our efforts on making college more affordable for all students.”
Nearly 100 of the 177 members of the General Assembly have now opted out of giving legislative scholarships this year. HB3810 would end the political scholarship program June 1, 2012.
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Simon backed House Bill 3810, sponsored by Rep. Fred Crespo, which passed out of the state government administrative committee 14-3 today. Earlier this month, the Better Government Association delivered an online petition with more than 600 signatures in support of the program’s abolishment to the Lt. Governor and state leaders.
Simon said: “While legislative scholarships help a small number of students, the program’s abuse comes at an incredibly high cost in terms of trust in government and absorbed tuition at colleges and universities. We would do better by our schools and students if we strengthened the need-based Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants that help thousands of Illinois students across the state fulfill their dreams of higher education. By eliminating the legislative scholarship program, Illinois can take a meaningful step toward improving our ethical standards, while focusing our efforts on making college more affordable for all students.”
Nearly 100 of the 177 members of the General Assembly have now opted out of giving legislative scholarships this year. HB3810 would end the political scholarship program June 1, 2012.
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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Statement from Regional Superintendents of Schools on Veto Session
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, representing regional offices of education and intermediate service centers in Illinois, today issued the following statement on developments during the Legislature's fall veto session:
"We have said from the outset we deserve to be paid now and moving forward. We are disappointed by today's vote in this chamber against this possible funding solution. We know we need a solution now and can't wait any longer. We will keep working with legislators to find the votes for a reasonable solution for our very serious funding problem, and we remain hopeful that resolution will happen in this veto session."
-- Bob Daiber, president of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools and Madison County regional superintendent.
About IARSS
The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools represents the dozens of elected leaders of regional offices of education, which provide a variety of key services to
"We have said from the outset we deserve to be paid now and moving forward. We are disappointed by today's vote in this chamber against this possible funding solution. We know we need a solution now and can't wait any longer. We will keep working with legislators to find the votes for a reasonable solution for our very serious funding problem, and we remain hopeful that resolution will happen in this veto session."
-- Bob Daiber, president of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools and Madison County regional superintendent.
About IARSS
The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools represents the dozens of elected leaders of regional offices of education, which provide a variety of key services to
AUDIO of IL House Debate on Funding Regional Superintendets
NOTE -- AUDIO RECORDING ERROR MISSED THE VOTE COUNT AT THE END. IT WAS 59-55. The measure failed to pass, but may be brought back later for reconsideration.
The first speaker is Rep David Harris. You may wish to ck out Rep Roger Eddy's heated comments around 12 mins into the debate. You can go directly to that point by double clicking on the time line.
AUDIO: IL House Debate on Funding Regional Superintendents by Illinois Channel
The first speaker is Rep David Harris. You may wish to ck out Rep Roger Eddy's heated comments around 12 mins into the debate. You can go directly to that point by double clicking on the time line.
AUDIO: IL House Debate on Funding Regional Superintendents by Illinois Channel
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Gov Quinn Signs Bill Setting New Standards and Regulations on Charter Schools
CHICAGO – July 20, 2011. As part of his agenda to give Illinois’ children more opportunities for a quality education in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today announced the signing of legislation that will increase school choice for parents. Senate Bill 79 establishes an independent charter school commission that is dedicated to school reform and has the power to authorize and regulate charter schools throughout the state.
Currently, 13,000 children in Illinois are on waiting lists for charter schools, which can only be created when authorized by school districts and certified by the Illinois State Board of Education. The new State Charter School Commission will provide an alternative path to charter school creation and improve the quality of charter schools by setting accountability and outcome standards.
“I am committed to expanding choices for a quality education for every child in Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “Parents shouldn’t be limited by zip codes when choosing a school for their children. By creating an accountable body dedicated to charter schools, we are giving communities another way to empower parents with more choices for their child’s education.”
Sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood), Senate Bill 79 allows the State Charter School Commission to hear and decide all appeals to charter school applications. The Illinois Board of Education will appoint the nine members of the commission from a slate of candidates proposed by the Governor. The commission will be funded through fees to charter schools which are authorized by the commission.
Governor Quinn also announced the signing of House Bill 2401, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R- Rock Falls) and Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), which clarifies Illinois law to ensure that each re-enrollment charter school campus has the option to enter the collective bargaining process as its own entity.
Charter schools are just one part of Governor Quinn’s broad agenda to give children more options for a great education in Illinois. In recent months, Governor Quinn signed legislation to pave the way for a longer school day and longer school year in Illinois, and establish first-ever performance standards for teachers. Senate Bill 79 goes into effect immediately and House Bill 2401 takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.
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Currently, 13,000 children in Illinois are on waiting lists for charter schools, which can only be created when authorized by school districts and certified by the Illinois State Board of Education. The new State Charter School Commission will provide an alternative path to charter school creation and improve the quality of charter schools by setting accountability and outcome standards.
“I am committed to expanding choices for a quality education for every child in Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “Parents shouldn’t be limited by zip codes when choosing a school for their children. By creating an accountable body dedicated to charter schools, we are giving communities another way to empower parents with more choices for their child’s education.”
Sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood), Senate Bill 79 allows the State Charter School Commission to hear and decide all appeals to charter school applications. The Illinois Board of Education will appoint the nine members of the commission from a slate of candidates proposed by the Governor. The commission will be funded through fees to charter schools which are authorized by the commission.
Governor Quinn also announced the signing of House Bill 2401, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R- Rock Falls) and Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), which clarifies Illinois law to ensure that each re-enrollment charter school campus has the option to enter the collective bargaining process as its own entity.
Charter schools are just one part of Governor Quinn’s broad agenda to give children more options for a great education in Illinois. In recent months, Governor Quinn signed legislation to pave the way for a longer school day and longer school year in Illinois, and establish first-ever performance standards for teachers. Senate Bill 79 goes into effect immediately and House Bill 2401 takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.
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Thursday, April 14, 2011
Former President George W Bush Speaks at Judson University’s Inaugural World Leaders Forum
(Elgin, Ill. - April 14, 2011) More than 1,300 area business leaders and dignitaries visited Judson University in Elgin on Wednesday, April 13, joining students, staff and faculty for the Christian school's inaugural World Leaders Forum.
A central message to the evening's main event was the value of personal principles regarding faith and freedom. In his keynote address, 43rd President of the United States George W. Bush encouraged the crowd of professionals to follow their principles.
"Principles last forever," said the President. "I say I came to Washington with a set of principles and I've left Washington with those same principles still in place."
President Bush spoke candidly with the audience, often using anecdotes included in his recent memoir, Decision Points, to illustrate lessons on leadership he learned through his presidency.
"Be ready to make decisions," Bush said adamantly to the group of local leaders and entrepreneurs. "A set of values that won't change is essential when leading an organization in the midst of a changing environment."
He also discussed the need to build strong relationships to better understand leaders with other views and experiences. As the president, Bush said he met many times with world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Paramount Leader Hu Jintao to better understand their perspectives and learn their concerns.
President Bush used his description of the oval office to demonstrate many of the principles that helped shape and guide him as a leader. Paintings selected for his office of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln; the desk at which he worked that had once been used by Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy; the carpet that graced the floor all played a part in demonstrating his leadership while in office.
Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert was among the dignitaries who attended the event. Bush frequently referenced Hastert's leadership and support when they were on Capitol Hill together during most of President Bush's time in the White House.
"A lot of the things that President Bush talked about I lived along with him, whether it's 9/11 or tax cuts or all these things. So it was interesting to get his perspective," Hastert said following the event. "Of course I've read his book but these are the things that are inbred. My background and college education was probably a lot like these students at Judson. Certain values, certain ideals you want to set forth. I never dreamed I was ever going to be in politics. I never dreamed I would be a member of Congress. I never dreamed I was going to be Speaker of the House, but I think the values you have, if you work hard and are true to those values and your goals, it's amazing what can happen. I think that is probably what's happened with the President as well."
President Bush was presented with a painting titled “President Bush” by Vitaly Mikhailov, which was commissioned by Judson University and John Carlson of La Gallerie in St. Charles, Ill. The painting was commissioned with the hope that it would one day reside in President Bush’s presidential library, which will be located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Earlier in the evening President Bush received another significant gift while attended a VIP Reception along with 225 business leaders and sponsors of the World Leaders Forum. During the reception, Elgin Mayor Ed Schock presented President Bush with a 100-year-old Elgin men’s pocket watch, which Schock said has more meaning since the famous watches were once produced in Elgin. Following the reception formalities VIP guests were given the opportunity to meet and have a photo with the former president.
After President Bush's keynote address, Judson trustee Carol Thompson moderated a formal question and answer session in which the president responded to questions from Judson students, staff and faculty. A panel of entrepreneurs also answered questions submitted from the Judson community which were moderated by Judson's Dean of the School of Leadership and Business, Dr. Tom Berliner. Nathan Latka of Lujure Media, Lisa Canning of The Institute of Arts Entrepreneurship, and Kraig Kleeman of Blaire Group shared wisdom and guiding principles of entrepreneurship and leadership that helped them become successful.
When asked about balancing ethics and profits during the moderated question and answer session for accomplished entrepreneurs, panelist Kraig Kleeman of Blaire Group contributed to that idea stating, "Ethics versus profits is an issue on the minds of the American people since the recent economic downturn. When I think about ethics versus profits, AGI, Lehman Brothers, and many other corporate names come to mind. Greed is a catalyst for financial meltdown. Entrepreneurs can never ever trade ethics for profit. Never. Never. Never. End of story."
The evening ended with Judson University President Dr. Jerry B. Cain thanking the audience for taking part in the university’s first World Leaders Forum.
“Hearing from President Bush tonight mirrored what I found when reading his memoir,” said Cain in a statement following the ceremony. “Here is a man worthy to be president who demonstrated that faith and values influence our decisions and choices. I want Judson University students and the community to feel a sense of pride and confidence from this event. This inaugural World Leaders Forum demonstrates how Judson offers quality learning experiences that complement our excellent academics and serve to instill the values and principles of a Christian education in our students and in the leaders of tomorrow.”
Cain also promised the audience that information will soon be released regarding the speaker and date for World Leaders Forum 2012. The Forum, which has been established to begin an endowment fund for Judson's new entrepreneurial program, will bring recognized world leaders to Judson and the surrounding community annually. In the last 130 years, only eight presidents have visited the Elgin community. The administrators at Judson hope that through the World Leaders Forum, visits from presidents and world leaders will be a regular occurrence.
A central message to the evening's main event was the value of personal principles regarding faith and freedom. In his keynote address, 43rd President of the United States George W. Bush encouraged the crowd of professionals to follow their principles.
"Principles last forever," said the President. "I say I came to Washington with a set of principles and I've left Washington with those same principles still in place."
President Bush spoke candidly with the audience, often using anecdotes included in his recent memoir, Decision Points, to illustrate lessons on leadership he learned through his presidency.
"Be ready to make decisions," Bush said adamantly to the group of local leaders and entrepreneurs. "A set of values that won't change is essential when leading an organization in the midst of a changing environment."
He also discussed the need to build strong relationships to better understand leaders with other views and experiences. As the president, Bush said he met many times with world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Paramount Leader Hu Jintao to better understand their perspectives and learn their concerns.
President Bush used his description of the oval office to demonstrate many of the principles that helped shape and guide him as a leader. Paintings selected for his office of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln; the desk at which he worked that had once been used by Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy; the carpet that graced the floor all played a part in demonstrating his leadership while in office.
Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert was among the dignitaries who attended the event. Bush frequently referenced Hastert's leadership and support when they were on Capitol Hill together during most of President Bush's time in the White House.
"A lot of the things that President Bush talked about I lived along with him, whether it's 9/11 or tax cuts or all these things. So it was interesting to get his perspective," Hastert said following the event. "Of course I've read his book but these are the things that are inbred. My background and college education was probably a lot like these students at Judson. Certain values, certain ideals you want to set forth. I never dreamed I was ever going to be in politics. I never dreamed I would be a member of Congress. I never dreamed I was going to be Speaker of the House, but I think the values you have, if you work hard and are true to those values and your goals, it's amazing what can happen. I think that is probably what's happened with the President as well."
President Bush was presented with a painting titled “President Bush” by Vitaly Mikhailov, which was commissioned by Judson University and John Carlson of La Gallerie in St. Charles, Ill. The painting was commissioned with the hope that it would one day reside in President Bush’s presidential library, which will be located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Earlier in the evening President Bush received another significant gift while attended a VIP Reception along with 225 business leaders and sponsors of the World Leaders Forum. During the reception, Elgin Mayor Ed Schock presented President Bush with a 100-year-old Elgin men’s pocket watch, which Schock said has more meaning since the famous watches were once produced in Elgin. Following the reception formalities VIP guests were given the opportunity to meet and have a photo with the former president.
After President Bush's keynote address, Judson trustee Carol Thompson moderated a formal question and answer session in which the president responded to questions from Judson students, staff and faculty. A panel of entrepreneurs also answered questions submitted from the Judson community which were moderated by Judson's Dean of the School of Leadership and Business, Dr. Tom Berliner. Nathan Latka of Lujure Media, Lisa Canning of The Institute of Arts Entrepreneurship, and Kraig Kleeman of Blaire Group shared wisdom and guiding principles of entrepreneurship and leadership that helped them become successful.
When asked about balancing ethics and profits during the moderated question and answer session for accomplished entrepreneurs, panelist Kraig Kleeman of Blaire Group contributed to that idea stating, "Ethics versus profits is an issue on the minds of the American people since the recent economic downturn. When I think about ethics versus profits, AGI, Lehman Brothers, and many other corporate names come to mind. Greed is a catalyst for financial meltdown. Entrepreneurs can never ever trade ethics for profit. Never. Never. Never. End of story."
The evening ended with Judson University President Dr. Jerry B. Cain thanking the audience for taking part in the university’s first World Leaders Forum.
“Hearing from President Bush tonight mirrored what I found when reading his memoir,” said Cain in a statement following the ceremony. “Here is a man worthy to be president who demonstrated that faith and values influence our decisions and choices. I want Judson University students and the community to feel a sense of pride and confidence from this event. This inaugural World Leaders Forum demonstrates how Judson offers quality learning experiences that complement our excellent academics and serve to instill the values and principles of a Christian education in our students and in the leaders of tomorrow.”
Cain also promised the audience that information will soon be released regarding the speaker and date for World Leaders Forum 2012. The Forum, which has been established to begin an endowment fund for Judson's new entrepreneurial program, will bring recognized world leaders to Judson and the surrounding community annually. In the last 130 years, only eight presidents have visited the Elgin community. The administrators at Judson hope that through the World Leaders Forum, visits from presidents and world leaders will be a regular occurrence.
Gov Quinn's Statement on the Education Reform Bill
CHICAGO – April 14, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today issued a statement regarding the introduction of comprehensive education reform legislation.
“Education reform has been one of the top priorities for my administration. This bill helps us make sure that we have the best teachers in our classrooms and assures effective teacher performance. This bill today is the result of a collaborative effort between my administration, the Legislature and many education groups. I am proud of the method and hard work that has produced this legislation. I commend Sen. Lightford for her leadership and her tireless work on this reform. I also thank my education advocate Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon for her dedication to our students. I would also like to extend my appreciation to all of the legislators, teachers and education groups who helped put this together.
“In the last two years, I have signed legislation passed by the General Assembly enacting more education reforms than our state has seen in the last two decades. This continues the comprehensive education reform effort in our state, and I urge legislators to support our students by supporting this plan.”
“Education reform has been one of the top priorities for my administration. This bill helps us make sure that we have the best teachers in our classrooms and assures effective teacher performance. This bill today is the result of a collaborative effort between my administration, the Legislature and many education groups. I am proud of the method and hard work that has produced this legislation. I commend Sen. Lightford for her leadership and her tireless work on this reform. I also thank my education advocate Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon for her dedication to our students. I would also like to extend my appreciation to all of the legislators, teachers and education groups who helped put this together.
“In the last two years, I have signed legislation passed by the General Assembly enacting more education reforms than our state has seen in the last two decades. This continues the comprehensive education reform effort in our state, and I urge legislators to support our students by supporting this plan.”
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Illinois Senate Passes Bill to Allow School Vouchers
From the IL Policy Institute
CHICAGO - Today, the Illinois Senate passed legislation that could change thousands of lives for the better. Children enrolled in the lowest-performing schools in Chicago would be offered a school voucher to attend a private school, if their parents so choose. Modeled after successful school vouchers in other states, SB 2494 can improve private and public schools alike. The Illinois Policy Institute and other groups worked closely with a bi-partisan group of Illinois lawmakers to advance the bill out of the Illinois Senate. The legislation will now be heard in the House of Representatives.
"I appreciate the Senate taking this historic step to provide opportunities to children to achieve their full potential," said SB 2494 sponsor, Rev. Senator James Meeks, following the floor vote.
"The highest-quality research is clear on two points," said Collin Hitt, Director of Education Policy for the Illinois Policy Institute. "School vouchers improve education for students who use them, and the resulting competition improves the performance of surrounding public schools. This is bold policy, but it can change the course of education in Chicago. If the Illinois House passes this legislation, families will have a better choice of schools, public schools will compete for students and improve. This can all be accomplished at no additional cost to taxpayers or public education."
Since first partnering with Rev. Senator Meeks on this school reform effort last winter, the Illinois Policy Institute has published research showing that SB 2494 can generate significant savings to state government, since the amount of school vouchers issued cannot exceed the Foundation Level of education spending. Institute publications have also shown both the success of school voucher programs in other states and the legal viability of establishing similar policies in Illinois.
CHICAGO - Today, the Illinois Senate passed legislation that could change thousands of lives for the better. Children enrolled in the lowest-performing schools in Chicago would be offered a school voucher to attend a private school, if their parents so choose. Modeled after successful school vouchers in other states, SB 2494 can improve private and public schools alike. The Illinois Policy Institute and other groups worked closely with a bi-partisan group of Illinois lawmakers to advance the bill out of the Illinois Senate. The legislation will now be heard in the House of Representatives.
"I appreciate the Senate taking this historic step to provide opportunities to children to achieve their full potential," said SB 2494 sponsor, Rev. Senator James Meeks, following the floor vote.
"The highest-quality research is clear on two points," said Collin Hitt, Director of Education Policy for the Illinois Policy Institute. "School vouchers improve education for students who use them, and the resulting competition improves the performance of surrounding public schools. This is bold policy, but it can change the course of education in Chicago. If the Illinois House passes this legislation, families will have a better choice of schools, public schools will compete for students and improve. This can all be accomplished at no additional cost to taxpayers or public education."
Since first partnering with Rev. Senator Meeks on this school reform effort last winter, the Illinois Policy Institute has published research showing that SB 2494 can generate significant savings to state government, since the amount of school vouchers issued cannot exceed the Foundation Level of education spending. Institute publications have also shown both the success of school voucher programs in other states and the legal viability of establishing similar policies in Illinois.
Monday, July 20, 2009
ISBE to Cut Education Programs Tuesday
By Jim Broadway, Publisher of State School News Service
As we reported late last week, the Illinois State Board of Education must now hold a special meeting to stretch $511 million to cover "discretionary" programs that were funded at a total of more than $900 million in FY 2009. They must make more than $400 million in funding cuts to such programs as:
Early Childhood Education; Career and Technical Education; ADA Block Grants; Gifted Education; Homeless Education; Truants Alternative/Optional Education; Regional Office of Education Services; Bilingual Education; National Board Certification; Principal Mentoring - and the list goes on to include more than 40 established education initiatives of proven effectiveness.
That funding-reduction meeting will begin Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Springfield.
We have posted a notice of the meeting at www.stateschoolnews.com. A period of "public participation" will be a part of the meeting, as is the case for all open SBE meetings. We will be on hand to cover the event and will post updates on our home page as the day progresses.
While the testimony is sure to be compelling, the meager amount of funds available will not change Tuesday. The General Assembly's failure to generate the revenue to avert disaster in education, human services and other areas of state responsibility made the damaging funding reductions necessary.
Most of you will be represented at the meeting by leaders of constituencies of which you are members. We will report what is said and, of course, the details of final actions taken. Check back at the SSNS home page, www.stateschoolnews.com, periodically on Tuesday for the latest information available.
If you have specific questions or comments, use the "Contact SSNS" button on our home page for that. Due to the changing situation (and some transitional distractions that we are experiencing at SSNS as well) we may be slower than usual to respond, but we will do our best.
Thank you,
Jim
As we reported late last week, the Illinois State Board of Education must now hold a special meeting to stretch $511 million to cover "discretionary" programs that were funded at a total of more than $900 million in FY 2009. They must make more than $400 million in funding cuts to such programs as:
Early Childhood Education; Career and Technical Education; ADA Block Grants; Gifted Education; Homeless Education; Truants Alternative/Optional Education; Regional Office of Education Services; Bilingual Education; National Board Certification; Principal Mentoring - and the list goes on to include more than 40 established education initiatives of proven effectiveness.
That funding-reduction meeting will begin Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Springfield.
We have posted a notice of the meeting at www.stateschoolnews.com. A period of "public participation" will be a part of the meeting, as is the case for all open SBE meetings. We will be on hand to cover the event and will post updates on our home page as the day progresses.
While the testimony is sure to be compelling, the meager amount of funds available will not change Tuesday. The General Assembly's failure to generate the revenue to avert disaster in education, human services and other areas of state responsibility made the damaging funding reductions necessary.
Most of you will be represented at the meeting by leaders of constituencies of which you are members. We will report what is said and, of course, the details of final actions taken. Check back at the SSNS home page, www.stateschoolnews.com, periodically on Tuesday for the latest information available.
If you have specific questions or comments, use the "Contact SSNS" button on our home page for that. Due to the changing situation (and some transitional distractions that we are experiencing at SSNS as well) we may be slower than usual to respond, but we will do our best.
Thank you,
Jim
Monday, April 20, 2009
U.S. Dept. of Education Approves $1.4 Billion in Recovery Funding for Illinois
From the Recovery Illinois Office of Governor Pat Quinn
CHICAGO – April 20, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn announced today that Illinois’ application for the first $1.4 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funding (SFSF) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Some of those dollars will begin flowing to schools within days.
“With help from the General Assembly, the State of Illinois is acting quickly to take advantage of every federal Recovery dollar available to us,” said Governor Quinn. “In addition, my proposed 2010 budget uses additional Recovery dollars to increase funding for education, and to continue work on education reforms that will ensure greater accountability to our students.”
Earlier this month, the General Assembly acted quickly to pass House Bill 210, sponsored by House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and Senator Donne Trotter (D-Chicago), which gave the state the ability to access and start spending federal Recovery dollars.
Illinois is expected to receive over $2 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funding over the next two years. Today the U.S. Department of Education approved the first $1.4 billion of those dollars. Illinois plans to use over $1 billion of that in Fiscal Year 2009 to pay general education expenses and avoid state funding cuts for schools. In Fiscal Year 2010, Illinois will use the remaining $400 million plus an expected $700 million.
SFSF dollars will be used to ensure Illinois does not need to cut education in the current economic climate. In addition, the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget uses SFSF funding to increase the state’s investment in preschool through high school education by $174 million and higher education by $40 million.
In addition to SFSF, Illinois schools will receive $1 billion in additional Recovery funding for programs. The distribution of these funds is based on existing federal education formulas for programs that serve low income and special education students.
In order to access the SFSF, Governor Quinn is moving Illinois towards education reform in several areas, including: progressing toward rigorous standards and high-quality tests, establishing a data system that will track student progress from preschool through college and careers, increasing teacher effectiveness and focusing more intense support for failing schools.
CHICAGO – April 20, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn announced today that Illinois’ application for the first $1.4 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funding (SFSF) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Some of those dollars will begin flowing to schools within days.
“With help from the General Assembly, the State of Illinois is acting quickly to take advantage of every federal Recovery dollar available to us,” said Governor Quinn. “In addition, my proposed 2010 budget uses additional Recovery dollars to increase funding for education, and to continue work on education reforms that will ensure greater accountability to our students.”
Earlier this month, the General Assembly acted quickly to pass House Bill 210, sponsored by House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and Senator Donne Trotter (D-Chicago), which gave the state the ability to access and start spending federal Recovery dollars.
Illinois is expected to receive over $2 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funding over the next two years. Today the U.S. Department of Education approved the first $1.4 billion of those dollars. Illinois plans to use over $1 billion of that in Fiscal Year 2009 to pay general education expenses and avoid state funding cuts for schools. In Fiscal Year 2010, Illinois will use the remaining $400 million plus an expected $700 million.
SFSF dollars will be used to ensure Illinois does not need to cut education in the current economic climate. In addition, the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget uses SFSF funding to increase the state’s investment in preschool through high school education by $174 million and higher education by $40 million.
In addition to SFSF, Illinois schools will receive $1 billion in additional Recovery funding for programs. The distribution of these funds is based on existing federal education formulas for programs that serve low income and special education students.
In order to access the SFSF, Governor Quinn is moving Illinois towards education reform in several areas, including: progressing toward rigorous standards and high-quality tests, establishing a data system that will track student progress from preschool through college and careers, increasing teacher effectiveness and focusing more intense support for failing schools.
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