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Hot Topics > FY08 State Budget
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Local schools fear fund cuts amid feuding in Springfield The Illinois Legislature has approved a spending plan that includes more money for education this school year, but many Illinois school districts expect to see their share of state funds cut in November unless lawmakers quickly pass a bill to release the additional cash. Read more... Lack of aid frustrates schools Despite the state legislature's failure to pass an increase in school aid, some districts like Morrison were lucky to emerge solvent by making budget cuts. Morrison stands to miss out on $300,000 in increased state aid this year because... Read more... School superintdents call on legislature to release promised funds DECATUR - While Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones continue fighting their tug of war for power in Springfield, the losers of this political battle may be Illinois' children, some school administrators say. Read more... Clinton School District may consider bonds to help with cash flow in face of state budget woes CLINTON - The Clinton School District may consider issuing working cash bonds to assist with potential cash flow difficulties. On Tuesday night, the board learned that it could issue working cash bonds, which would generate $795,000 over the course of a year or $2.3 million over the course of... Read more... School districts sweat out debate about property taxes With two days left before a Springfield veto session is scheduled to draw to a close, school officials are becoming less patient and more anxious as budget shortfalls keep growing each day Cook County property tax bills are delayed because lawmakers are at odds about tax-relief legislation. Read more... Budget battle worries schools Districts face less state aid if measure boosting foundation level doesn't get a vote SPRINGFIELD - In a typical year, the state increases the money it spends on public schools. But this year, government is anything but typical in Illinois. Read more... Schools should sue county assessor South suburban school districts ought to sue the Cook County assessor. Many homeowners in south Cook County will soon discover that money was taken out of their wallets to pay attorneys and bankers. Read more... Budget battle keeps funds for public schools tied up In a typical year, the state increases the money it spends on public schools. But this year, government is anything but typical in Illinois. Read more... Quinn: Blagojevich's budget cut 'bone-headed' Says state should help pay for defibrillators it requires CHICAGO - Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday said Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration is being "bone-headed" by cutting funds that help Illinois school and park districts buy state-mandated heart defibrillators for... Read more... Opinion: Rockford needs CeaseFire to stay In one breath, Will Ashford Jr. says of CeaseFire Rockford: "We refuse to close." The agency that works with violence-prone clients to stop the shooting in target neighborhoods was cut out of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's budget... Read more... Area school leaders urge bill passage: State superintendent: Education is feeling pinch from delay DECATUR - Illinois schools got a raise in general state aid this year, but until the state House of Representatives passes the budget implementation bill, schools are getting by on last year's rates. Christopher Koch, state superintendent of schools, visited Hope Academy on Tuesday to urge lawmakers to... Read more... Schools dragged into Capitol spat SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich has sent letters to every school district superintendent in Illinois blaming House Speaker Michael Madigan for a delay in an education funding increase... Read more... Could budget talks need a woman's touch? SPRINGFIELD - Bickering between Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the four men at the negotiating table is the result of "too much testosterone," a key leader in the Illinois Senate said Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, said the stalemate that has kept lawmakers in town for a record-setting overtime session this year could be broken with... Read more... Opinion: Band-Aid budget no cure for schools Chicago - It's back to school time, and parents across Illinois are scrambling to fill their kids' backpacks with enough notebooks, folders and pencils to get them through the school year. But on Thursday, Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved a budget that will leave local property taxpayers scrambling to finance their share of... Read more... Daley assails Blagojevich for choice of cuts Worthy programs and projects fell victim to Gov. Rod Blagojevich's budget reductions, an unhappy Mayor Richard Daley said Wednesday. Daley also questioned the governor's choices for cuts, something that critics charge were dictated by Blagojevich's desire to punish legislators who failed to... Read more... Governor OKs his version of budget The budget includes an increase of $597 million, or 9 percent, for elementary and secondary schools. $340 million of this was issued immediately... Read more...
Fiscal year 2008 started July 1, 2007 and there is still no state budget. As frustration boils across Illinois, Students First is keeping close watch on the debate and its affect on education. Here's what people are saying... Read more... City school officials move budget ahead Plan OKd but state funds, raises for teachers are pending Chicago Public Schools officials on Wednesday approved a $5.8 billion budget for 2008 that is largely similar to last year's with one caveat: They don't fully know their revenues or expenditures. Gov. Rod Blagojevich's delay in signing the state budget approved by the General Assembly has left the nation's third-largest... Read more... Editorial: Jones, Blagojevich won't get an 'A' on constitution test The last time we checked, even though Illinois didn't have a budget, the state did still had a Constitution and a system of checks and balances. But that was before Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Senate President Emil Jones reached their agreement on a modified budget that would circumvent the democratic process... Read more... Schools awaiting building funds blast governor SPRINGFIELD - Chicago and more than 20 other school districts around Illinois have been denied $150 million in construction money. Gov. Rod Blagojevich said the districts were ineligible because their paperwork had not been filed on time, according to irate lawmakers and school officials. But lawmakers and educators say that problem was easily avoidable... Read more... 'We're going to be hurting' Schools brace for the worst as state aid payments at a standstill Officials at school districts blessed with rainy-day funds still are gazing nervously at the darkening fiscal skies spiraling from Springfield. But less-fortunate schools with depleted reserves can muster little... Read more... Blagojevich, lawmakers set for another salary boost SPRINGFIELD - Just days after Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved 9.6 percent pay hikes for himself and Illinois lawmakers, he is poised again to sign off on yet another salary bump. The latest one would push his salary up by $20,000 at a time when he and lawmakers have been unable to complete their business on time... Read more... Jones acting like a politician at the end of his run If this year's legislative session is any indication, Democratic Senate President Emil Jones Jr. appears like a politician at the end of his run. The old-school lawmaker - who turns 72 in October - spent the past six months taking ethical broadsides over his family's numerous jobs.. Read more... Governor moving money Will veto $500 million, give $463 million to health care Unable to get lawmakers to approve his plan to expand Illinois' health-care coverage, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Tuesday he will do it himself, offsetting the expense by cutting $500 million from the state budget awaiting his approval... Read more... Editorial: Leaders bungle budget process If it wasn't clear before, the events of the past few weeks in Springfield leave no room for doubt. Illinois, at the state government level, has a leadership problem. As in, there is none... Read more... Ball in gov's court as House passes budget STATE | Blagojevich office calls it 'out of balance' but won't say if he'll veto it SPRINGFIELD -- The House sent Gov. Blagojevich a $59.5 billion spending package Friday, although there were clear signs the move didn't represent an end to the state's acrimonious, 10-week... Read more... Senators approve budget Governor says it's a 'long way' from what he can sign Illinois lawmakers worked frantically Thursday to wrap up their record overtime session, with the Senate at about midnight approving a new, $59 billion state budget by a vote of 52-5. The state share of spending would increase about $2.1 billion, or 8.2 percent. The plan goes to the House, which passed a nearly identical one... Read more... Proposed budget boosts school funding Members of the Illinois House let out a sigh of relief as they passed a controversial budget plan Thursday that would provide nearly $600 million more for public schools. But many education advocates expressed dismay with the spending plan... Read more... Legislators miss another deadline on budget deal IMPASSE | Threatens to delay paychecks, payments to schools SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois' gridlocked state government missed another deadline Wednesday without a budget deal, threatening delays in thousands of paychecks and payments to school districts... Read more... Editorial: If schools win more money . . . Illinois public schools may, in the end, see a long-awaited bump in state funding this year. At this writing, estimates range up to an additional $900 million, depending on how many casinos lawmakers authorize to help fund a new budget for the Land of Lincoln... Read more... Opinion: No payments unless there is a budget or court order These have been difficult days for all of us in state government, and I certainly understand why many of you are feeling uncomfortable about your paychecks. Like the state, we all have bills to pay and family budgets to maintain. Unlike the state, when we fail to pay those bills and make those budgets, we suffer immediate financial consequences... Read more... Local schools feel burden of state's missing budget Local schools are taking their first financial blow from the state budget stalemate this week as they decide which accounts to tap for cash due to the state's failure to issue general state aid by today's deadline. Read more... Lawmakers' last option - gambling SPRINGFIELD - The fate of education funding, road construction and a possible government shutdown all appear to rest on the political prospects of a Chicago casino as lawmakers stagger into a third month of overtime still chasing an elusive budget deal. Nearly $1 billion for state spending could come from a city casino and more gambling opportunities at existing casinos, lawmakers say... Read more... School budget guesses funding Updated 6:20 AM CDT Chicago Public Schools officials on Monday proposed a $5.8 billion budget for 2008, based more on an educated guess than hard numbers, officials said. The state budget impasse means Illinois' largest school district doesn't know how much money it will have to spend on... Read more... Democrats still $300 million apart on school funding: Wednesday deadline looms for state budget SPRINGFIELD -Democrats who control the Illinois legislature remain at least $300 million apart on funding for the state's public schools. With the state facing a Wednesday deadline to get a new budget on the books, Senate President Emil Jones again insisted that he wants... Read more... No progress on state budget A new state budget continues to elude Illinois officials. Read more... Editorial: Governor's budget threat hollow if Legislature were united On Wednesday, Gov. Blagojevich proclaimed that any state budget sent to him that didn't meet his approval would be "dead on arrival." As threats go, that one was as empty as the House during one of the governor's special sessions. Read more... Editorial: A dangerous budget strategy Blagojevich is pushing for another one-month budget to give him more time to lobby for his priorities - particularly improved education funding and progress toward universal health care. Read more... Governor compares budget to Cubs SPRINGFIELD – There appeared to be little urgency at the Capitol to strike a budget deal as Illinois began August with no plan or authority to pay employees, schools or the thousands of other people and entities that do business with the state. Instead, Gov. Rod Blagojevich compared the situation to sports... Read more... Schools' first test: Uncertain state funding SPRINGFIELD - Just three weeks before kids head to class at most schools in the Harlem School District, the Harlem Federation of Teachers union is looking to the district for, among other things, more money. And Harlem leaders are looking to Springfield for word on how much they have to give... Read more... Budget stalemate not a crisis yet State impasse more of an irritation for suburban school districts SPRINGFIELD – Across the suburbs, school officials are putting final touches on their back to school budgets, a task made more complicated by the fact that millions of dollars in state funding remain stuck in a political limbo at the Capitol. Read more... UPDATED: Illinois' budget expires State government to remain open; governor urges workers to stay on job SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois officials failed to come up with a new budget Tuesday, thrusting state government into uncertain territory by allowing the old budget to expire... Read more... Budget deadlock a problem for schools District 7 waits to see state financial aid figures The Illinois state legislature has failed to approve an FY08 budget, leaving District 7 and other districts unaware of what impact the delay will have.... Read more... Blagojevich wants another month But Madigan says full budget may come soon Gov. Rod Blagojevich called on Illinois lawmakers Friday to pass another one-month budget, but House Speaker Michael Madigan said he thinks a budget for the entire fiscal year could be in place by next week... Read more... Blagojevich seeks another temporary budget Gov. Rod Blagojevich is asking Illinois lawmakers to pass another one-month budget to keep state government operating. The governor and legislative leaders can't agree on a budget for the full year. The General Assembly has gone a record 57 days into overtime... Read more... Some budget progress made Standoff continues, but a few proposals will be up for votes Read more... Lawmakers set record for futility Overtime session longer than any since new state constitution ratified in '70 Read more... Critical mass for budget Schools first in line to feel logjam's pain Read more... Governor must give ground, Jones says Including on plan for health care Illinois Senate President Emil Jones said Thursday that Gov. Rod Blagojevich will have to accept a scaled-back version of his plan to give every Illinoisan access to health care... Read more... Opinion: Legislative endgame could be crying game for taxpayers Many folks probably don't even realize it, but Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the General Assembly have been deadlocked since June 1. This costly political sandbox fight is careening toward the record for Illinois' longest-ever OT session come July 25. There's been little real progress made in the last seven weeks, with plenty of... Read more... No tax bills, no state budget creates uncertainty for school budget CHRISMAN – Little positive information was presented during a tentative budget report Tuesday night at the Chrisman Board of Education. District superintendent Norm Tracy said the budget's expense side is well established but the potential revenue remains a mystery. "What we don't have is the actual revenue, either the local or from the state... Read more... FY2008 Budget Recommendation FY2008 Budget Recommendation (PDF) Read more... Budget impasse hurts schools Board members concerned about not knowing how much money is available for education SPRINGFIELD - Lawmakers must reach an agreement soon on a new state budget because public schools need a clear idea about how much money will be available for education, school board members from across Illinois said on Tuesday. "It is difficult to do our job when... Read more... Budget delay looks like one for record book SPRINGFIELD -- Just three years after breaking their previous record, Illinois lawmakers are poised again to set a benchmark for futility. On July 24, which is less than a week away, the General Assembly and Gov. Rod Blagojevich will surpass their 2004 record for... Read more... $356,375 and counting This is the estimated cost of keeping lawmakers in Springfield so far. Gov. Rod Blagojevich ordered them to stay in overtime starting July 5 until they can give him a budget deal to... Read more... Duncan: Schools need state cash CPS | Help from Springfield could avoid gloomy tax scenario No new money from Springfield for Chicago schools this year would likely mean another property tax hike and scaled-back plans for expanding after-school enrichment, summer classes and smaller class sizes in... Read more... Senate Education Committee Hearing Notice: TODAY, 7/18, 7/19, 7/20 The Senate Education Committee is holding four hearings beginning today on various subjects including: FY2008 education spending, the foundation level, poverty grant, gifted education, special education, and vocational education funding, and ensuring achievement through accountability... Read more... Governor defends budget actions Blagojevich says he 'envisioned' lengthy conflict, thinks sniping might continue to grow SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich insists he knows what he's doing as the state budget deadlock drags on and on, even if others have their doubts... Read more... Opinion: C'mon gov, cut the nonsense, make a deal If there were not millions of children waiting for information about the amount to be appropriated for public education, thousands of health-care providers waiting for reimbursement for services already provided and each of us wondering about... Read more... Blagojevich skips House budget hearing Invited to speak about lottery proposal SPRINGFIELD --After calling legislators into special session on the state budget, Gov. Rod Blagojevich was a no-show Thursday at an Illinois House hearing devoted to... Read more... NEW: State leaders agree on budget extension SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Top legislative leaders said Tuesday they've agreed on a temporary budget to keep state government running through July and intend to pass... Read more... Budget talks stalled SPRINGFIELD - Senate Democrats rejected a $53 billion state budget plan Wednesday, saying it doesn't spend enough on... Read more... Shutdown looms as stalemate continues Lawmakers face countdown to July 1 after already blowing May 31 deadline Read more... Illinois budget impasse Democrats' feud allows GOP to gain voice in overtime session Read more... Madigan pushes on budget Governor's health-care plan in peril Read more... Editorial: If tax hike won't fly, expand gambling With Democrats dominating state government, energized from their party's sweeping gains across the country last fall, you'd think it would have been relatively easy for the Legislature to pass a budget and finish on time this year... Read more... Scaled down, but still huge In late action, House passes $53 billion budget minus governor's demands Read more... Gambling in the way of new state budget Blagojevich, Jones are blaming Madigan Read more... FY 08 State Budget FY 08 State Budget Read more... Gov's budget lands in fair territory The question of fairness comes to mind when considering the bold budget put forth last week by Gov. Blagojevich. Read more... Gov. enlists teachers union in education fight Trying to convert teachers into a political force behind his new business tax plan, Gov. Rod Blagojevich fired up the Illinois Education Association for a brutal fight in the Legislature. Read more... Property-tax relief in cards? Blagojevich says it could happen, doesn't know how Read more... Blagojevich to campaign for tax plan Gov. Rod Blagojevich today will begin a series of public appearances across Illinois to offset the opposition of corporate interests to his proposed gross-receipts tax. Read more... More questions on state budget plan SPRINGFIELD - Only four months after winning a second term, Gov. Rod Blagojevich embarked on a new campaign Thursday trying to win public support for a massive business tax increase to boost state funding of public schools. Read more... Backed by new tax, governor would give Illinois schools big boost Gov. Rod Blagojevich is proposing a massive infusion of cash into public schools, but that may not be enough to satisfy the powerful forces clamoring for education funding reform. Read more... $60 billion state plan unveiled Gov. Rod Blagojevich called Wednesday for a major overhaul of the state's business taxes to bankroll a massive expansion of state spending on health care and schools. Read more... Governor's budget has Democrats wary State of State takes jab at corporations Read more... Illinois governor lays out new tax proposals Citing a "moral imperative," Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday laid out huge new funding initiatives for education, state pensions and near-universal health care in Illinois - to be paid for by equally huge new taxes on business. Read more... Bulked-up budget The $60 billion plan Read more... Largest tax hike in state's history Cool reception for gov's $60 bil. plan that boosts schools, health care Read more... Suburban lawmakers on governor's plan SPRINGFIELD - While freshman suburban Democrats supported the concepts of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed budget Wednesday, they questioned how the state would pay for the multibillion-dollar plan that includes universal health care and increased education funding. Read more... Gov's $7 billion business pitch Corporations would ante up for health, education initiatives, drop 1 tax Read more... FY 08 State Budget Now Online FY 08 Illinois State Budget (PDF) Read more... Gov. proposes addition $1.5B for schools Illinois' public schools would receive an unprecedented $1.5 billion infusion of new cash under Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed budget. Read more... $6 billion state tax in works Levy on business seen funding health-care plan for uninsured Read more... $32 BILLION Blagojevich seeks huge increase in state revenues Read more... Gov has new plan to fund public schools Suddenly, it seems everyone in Springfield is ready to throw money at the schools. Read more... Blagojevich wants big boost in education money Governor plans to ask Legislature for $1.5 bil. more in school funds Read more... Governor proposes record $60 billion in spending In a budget plan chockfull of big ideas, Gov. Rod Blagojevich today will call for an additional $10 billion to be spent on schools the next four years, with suburban districts getting extra cash for construction, special education, and bilingual learning. Read more... Governor to push school spending Gov. Rod Blagojevich will call on lawmakers today to go along with his plan to boost education funding by $1.5 billion for the fiscal year that starts in July. Read more... Gov to unveil education plan today Will use business tax to boost school spending Read more... |
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