Financial Updates Regarding Illinois Budget and Legislation and Its Impact on Education Funding
August 21, 2017
Dear West Central C.U.S.D. #235 Stakeholders:
With the start of school, West Central C.U.S.D. #235 would like to take a few minutes to update you on the events taking place in Springfield that will impact school funding for our current fiscal year and for years to come.
As you are probably aware, the State of Illinois passed a budget on July 6, 2017 after a two year budget impasse; however, within this budget is a stipulation that says the State of Illinois must enact a new education funding formula in order to release the appropriated funds to school districts. At this time that has not been accomplished. August 10 was a key date for districts in Illinois. This is the date that districts were to receive their first state payment. August 10 has come and gone, and no payment was received.
You may be hearing a lot in the media about Senate Bill 1 (SB1) and the Governor’s Amendatory Veto (AV). SB1 has received the most traction in the legislature with regard to a new education funding formula. This bill is a result of years of research, negotiations, and efforts among legislators, school administrators, and government officials to address the inadequacies of our current funding formula. SB1 has passed both the House and the Senate. It was sent to Governor Rauner who issued an Amendatory Veto of it on August 1, 2017. On August 13, 2017, the Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto. It is anticipated the House will vote on a motion to override the AV on Wednesday, August 23. They have three options – approve the amended bill as vetoed, override the veto and pass the original bill, or pass nothing which would leave school districts without a mechanism by which to obtain state funding. Although the bill passed both chambers on its way to the Governor, there is much skepticism as to whether the supermajority (71 votes) required to override the veto can be achieved. If the AV is not overridden, education funding is back at ground level and the appropriated state funds will not flow.
It should also be mentioned that a potential fourth option exists in which legislative leaders and the Governor agree to a compromise legislation that includes legislative language from SB1 and its AV.
West Central C.U.S.D. #235 received $1.6 million in state funding through General State Aid (GSA) in FY17. If Senate Bill 1 is not passed, the veto is not approved or a compromise solution is not reached, West Central could stand to lose $1.6 million. This could result in the District having to spend down fund balances we have worked diligently to build and protect and will have no means to replenish. It is IMPERATIVE that the legislature take action this week to resolve this stalemate or schools across the state will be in a financial crisis. Our reliance on local funds will become more significant if we lose this state funding.
Please contact Governor Rauner, Representative Randy Frese, and Senator Jil Tracy to encourage their support of action that will allow funding appropriations to start flowing immediately, so we can focus our attention on providing the best education for our West Central students. Their contact information is below.
If you have any specific questions, please contact me at (309) 627-2371 or via email at markey-paula@wc235.k12.il.us, and I will do my best to answer them.
Sincerely,
Paula Markey
Governor Bruce Rauner
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-0244
https://www.illinois.gov/gov/contactus/Pages/VoiceAnOpinion.aspx
Representative Randy Frese
repfrese@adams.net
Springfield Office:
225-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8096
(217) 782-1275 FAX
District Office:
3701 E. Lake Centre Dr.,Suite 3
Quincy , IL 62305
(217) 223-0833
(217) 223-1565 FAX
Senator Jil Tracy
Springfield Office:
M103A Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-2479
District Office:
3701 East Lake Center Drive, Suite 3
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 223-0833
(217) 223-1565 FAX
