October 12. 2007

Springfield … Stressing the need for the state to release promised education dollars to local school districts, State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) co-sponsored legislation which would secure the release of education funding. Reboletti, along with his House Republican colleagues, demanded action on legislation held up by House Democrats that is needed to release the education dollars approved in the new state budget.

“I am completely dismayed that Speaker Madigan along with the House Democrats would hold up legislation allowing local schools to collect promised state funds. We passed a bipartisan budget back in August and yet the schools still have not received their money,” Reboletti said. “You would think that the Democratic leadership would not play politics with the children of this state.”

Appalled by Democrats’ inaction, House Republicans along with Representative Reboletti filed an education budget implementation bill (HB4151) which would authorize the release of budgeted education dollars. The $600 million increase for education in the budget included a $400 per pupil increase in general state aid, $136.8 million for mandated categoricals, $20 million increase in the Early Childhood Block Grant and an increase in special education personnel reimbursement. In addition, it also includes provisions to ensure that no school district will receive less in state aide dollars than they received last year. Speaker Madigan and the House Democrats who are in the majority refused to call this legislation for a vote.

“The Democrat leadership in this state is now making our local schools pay for their ineffective leadership,” Reboletti said. “My hope is that our elected officials will come to their senses and allow this bill to at least be put to a vote on the House floor. The schools across this state are depending on us and it’s about time we deliver on our promises.”

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