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As the fiscal year came to a close, the General Assembly
passed Senate Bill 2047, a bi-partisan education funding bill and stop-gap
budget agreement.
Senate Bill 2047 provides $75 million in funding for early
childhood education, and a statewide equity grant for the poorest school
districts. In doing so, the bill
prioritizes education funding and represents a historic investment in education
by funding schools at 100% foundation level for the first time in seven
years.
Specifically, the stopgap funding plan provides $1 billion
to higher education, in addition to the already allocated $600 million for
FY16, and also includes $151 million for MAP grants. The bi-partisan compromise also provides $742
million in critically-needed funding for human service providers. The plan also made state infrastructure a
priority by funding $3.4 billion to the pay-as-you-go road program, which will
ensure more than 800 active transportation projects continue keeping 25,000
workers on the job.
In response, State Representative Steve Andersson (R-Geneva)
released the following statement:
“Today’s
agreement was a huge step in moving past an 18 month budget impasse. While
this is not a full budget, it appropriates funds for our state’s biggest needs—and
most importantly, it moves our State forward beyond the impasse. This stopgap is vital for Illinois to
continue to operate and gives our taxpayers certainty that the state’s services
can continue. This agreement has made
funding education a priority. Schools
will open on time and have essential resources for the entire school year. It guarantees
critical state operations and services continue- providing for those in our
state that need it the most.
“While we must do far better moving forward, today was a
significant improvement where we stood accountable for our taxpayers and found genuine
compromise. Ultimately bi-partisan negotiations
prevailed and we ended the fiscal year with an agreement, which is the next
step in moving toward a balanced full year budget.”
