SPRINGFIELD – The federal government gives grants to Illinois school districts with large percentages of students from low-income families to pay for additional educators to help these students meet difficult academic standards.  
 
However, because of the complicated Illinois pension funding system, school districts are forced to use over a third of these funds to pay for the teachers’ pension costs.   
 
Rockford School Superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett joined State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) in a Senate Committee hearing today in support of legislation Stadelman is sponsoring that would allow school districts to use the federal funds they receive, commonly known as Title 1 funding, in the classroom instead of being forced to spend it on pension costs. The proposal could free up as much as $2 million for Rockford schools.
 
“These funds are meant to help at-risk students receive additional education, not to pay down our pension debts,” Stadelman said. “Siphoning off a third of the funding we receive from the federal government disproportionately affects low-income and special needs students who often need the most help.”
 
The legislation, Senate Bill 436, would allow school districts to pay the same rate into the teachers’ pension system for federally funded teachers as it does for all other teachers. This would cut the school district’s contribution rate from 36 percent to a more manageable 7 percent, the same it pays for other educators. It would not have an effect on individual teachers’ pensions.
 
The proposal passed the Senate Executive Committee with a vote of 12-2 and now heads to the Senate Floor.

SPRINGFIELD – Following a line of questioning from State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) in the Senate Appropriations Committee, the governor's office has released funding that will allow the Rosecrance Triage Center to stay open through June 30.

“The Triage Center has been effective at keeping those with mental illness out of jail and out of the hospital, saving taxpayers thousands of dollars,” Stadelman said. “However, while this funding is a start, it still does not resolve the governor's long-term opposition to the program.”

In 2012, when Singer Mental Health Facility was shut down by the state, Rosecrance was promised more funding to allow them to serve patients through community based programs, such as the Triage Center. Until these funds were released, Governor Rauner had broken this promise.

To provide additional stability for the center, the Illinois Senate also passed Senate Bill 2059 through the Appropriations I Committee, which will provide funding for Rosecrance. It now heads to the full Senate for a vote.

“I strongly encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together to support this proposal, to help fund services that our state so desperately needs,” Stadelman said.

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SPRINGFIELD – Days after the Rock Valley College Board of Trustees announced it may be forced to raise tuition on students because of the ongoing state budget impasse, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) voted to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of funding for the college.

Because of the governor’s veto, Rock Valley College has yet to receive any funding for FY16. In December, the college also issued layoffs to 30 employees.

“How high will Rock Valley College have to hike tuition before the governor realizes higher education has to be a priority for Illinois? We cannot continue to hold students and employees hostage because of these ongoing political games in Springfield,” said Stadelman.

The legislation, Senate Bill 2043, also provides funding for MAP grants for middle- and low-income students to help pay for higher education. In 2015, there were more than 1,700 recipients of MAP grants in the Rockford area alone.  

Despite the ongoing budget crisis, the state continues to collect taxpayer money. Stadelman believes these programs should be a priority.

“We need to focus on prioritizing the funding we have to invest in education. The governor recently proposed the largest education bill for K-12 students in state history. He should show that same commitment to all Illinois students,” Stadelman said.

The veto override now heads to the Illinois House.