Local lawmakers continue to push for school construction dollars

        Springfield, IL – Local school districts that have been waiting for more than five years to receive school construction funding from the state could finally see those dollars come to fruition, according to state Senators Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) and Randy Hultgren (R-Wheaton).

        An amendment to House Bill 3860, filed on August 22, would appropriate $150 million owed to 24 school districts across the state for construction projects. The money would be appropriated to the general revenue fund of the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget, which was passed in mid-August and give the state authority to issue the funds immediately.

        Locally, Westmont Community Unit School District 201 is owed more than $1 million and Winfield School District 34 is owed more than $2 million for construction projects.

        “More than five years ago the state committed this money to school districts for approved construction projects,” said Dillard. “The Blagojevich Administration felt it was necessary to play politics by refusing to release the funds that were promised to these schools. Hopefully this legislation will take care of the situation once and for all and the school districts can finally move on.”

        “It seems that every time the school districts think they will finally receive the funds promised to them, this Governor lets them down,” said Hultgren. “Administrators, teachers and parents have every right to be upset that they have had to wait for this money for so long. Clearly the Governor thinks he can go against the will of the General Assembly and spend this money however he deems fit, which is why it is absolutely necessary to approve this legislation immediately and hopefully restore a little trust between school districts and the state.”

        On August 13, Gov. Blagojevich approved a bill that gave him the authority to release the funds for the school construction projects. However, Blagojevich held the legislation until after the new fiscal year had begun and then said that because school districts did not sign a grant agreement before the end of the previous fiscal year, he would not pay out the money owed them.

        “Since the democrats took control in Springfield and Rod Blagojevich was elected Governor, sadly the State of Illinois has not spent one new penny on school construction,” exclaimed Dillard.