Reboletti Restores Funding for Promised School Construction Grants
March 11. 2008

Springfield …In response to Governor Blagojevich’s plan to not release state funds for school construction grants, the House unanimously passed legislation restoring promised dollars to Villa Park School District 45 and 22 other districts. State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) commented how upset he was that Governor Blagojevich would blatantly disregard the needs of school children across this state.

In FY2002, Villa Park School District 45 was promised $980,545 in school construction grants for Ardmore & Stevenson Elementary Schools. School District 45 has yet to receive a single penny. Back in August, the House Republicans were instrumental in getting $150 million included in the supplemental appropriation bill that would pay for school construction grants for these school districts. However after the bill signing, the Governor promptly announced that the school districts would not be receiving the funding because they failed to submit updated paperwork.

“I don’t think words can accurately describe how appalled I am at the Governor’s actions. He talks a good game of helping the children in this state, but his actions don’t match his rhetoric,” said Reboletti.

Villa Park School District 45, along with 22 other school districts, received letters of entitlement from the State Board of Education and Capitol Development Board indicating their grant award from the state. Villa Park School District 45 takes in Villa Park and a portion of Lombard.

“Villa Park School District 45 has done everything asked of them by the state and this administration,” Reboletti said. “My hope is that this legislation will quickly pass in the Senate so that my school district can finally receive the money that was promised to them.”

Additional questions can be directed to Rep. Reboletti at (630) 530-2730.

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