SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that would keep schools open, get funding to Rock Valley Community College and keep government agencies and construction projects operating received State Sen. Steve Stadelman’s (D-Rockford) vote today.

“This is only a temporary budget and not a permanent solution, but it gets more funding to schools throughout my district and ensures they will open on time,” Stadelman said.

Under the plan, Rockford School District gains almost $6.5 million more than what it received last year and Harlem School District gains $880,000 more than last year.

The higher education portion of the legislation provides funding for state universities, community colleges, grants for low-income college students and career and technical education programs.

“This proposal should help alleviate some of the funding issues Rock Valley Community College has faced during the budget impasse,” Stadelman said. “Funding higher education should not be a partisan issue, and today is an example of the positive things the legislature and governor can do when they work together.”

The proposal backed by Stadelman also includes stopgap fudding to keep state agencies and road construction projects operating. Additionally, it invests in human services programs that help seniors, the disabled and other vulnerable populations.

With Stadelman’s support, Senate Bill 2047 was approved by the Illinois Senate and will now head to the governor for final approval.

ROCKFORD – State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is ready to head to Springfield and vote for clean education funding legislation that would increase funding for the Rockford and Harlem School Districts.

Under the plan, the Rockford School District would gain $17,952,821 from what it received last year and the Harlem School District would gain $1,583,165.

“This clean education funding plan would put millions of dollars back into the Rockford and Harlem schools, which will help our students get a better education,” Stadelman said. “I don’t see any reason why the governor or any legislator wouldn’t support it.”

Under the governor’s plan Rockford schools would get less money than under the proposal Stadelman is supporting. Wealthy suburban schools do better under the governor’s plan.

Stadelman and other Senate Democrats plan to vote for this education funding plan on Wednesday.

No school district in Illinois would get less money than they received last year under the proposal.

Please join State Sen. Steve Stadelman and the Citizens Utility Board Tuesday, July 12, for a workshop that will give tips on getting your utility bills reduced.

Please join State Senator Steve Stadelman at Terrace Senior Apartments in Rockford for a Community Senior Fair.