Stadelman votes to override Rauner’s veto for Rock Valley College funding

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.

Sen. Stadelman reacts to Rauner’s budget address

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D – Rockford) released the statement below following Governor Rauner’s budget address today:

“I share the governor’s frustration that Illinois has been without a budget for over eight months now. He had an opportunity today to lay out his plan to resolve the crisis we are in, which has forced layoffs at Rock Valley College and eliminated programs for children with autism.

“Instead, today we heard more partisan rhetoric and few answers. The governor and legislative leaders have to come together to find a bipartisan solution to stop the damage that is being done to our state.”

Stadelman to Comptroller Munger: Continue to prioritize education funding

Despite the historic budget impasse Illinois is facing, Democratic lawmakers and Governor Rauner came together last Spring to pass a budget to fund K-12 education. Even though the education budget was signed into law, the Illinois Comptroller can still choose to divert available funds to other areas of the budget. I believe we must continue to prioritize education funding. Below is a letter I sent to Comptroller Munger today asking her to do the same.

Stadelman votes for funding for Rock Valley College

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) voted in favor of a proposal today to provide funding for Rock Valley College. The college, which has received no state funding this year due to the budget impasse, has been faced with drastic cuts and layoffs recently.

The legislation, Senate Bill 2043, provides $260 million to community colleges across the state.

“Rock Valley College is a tremendous asset to the entire Rockford area. It is past time they received this funding to allow them to do what they do best – educating the future of our state,” Stadelman said.

Funding for Monetary Assistance Program grants was also included in the proposal. The grants, previously held up by the budget impasse, help low and middle-income students pay for college tuition.

While many colleges and four-year universities were able to continue to provide funding for students during the fall semester, nearly 1,000 students were unable to return to school in 2016 as some schools’ funding dried up.

The proposal, which passed the Senate with a vote of 36-12-3, now heads to the governor’s desk.