From State Senator Karen McConnaughay:
Senator McConnaughay’s Legislative Update: July 8, 2016
Karen McConnaughay.
After months of debating and discussing unaffordable, out-of-balance budgets that would threaten students, burden taxpayers, and discourage business, lawmakers were able to set aside political agendas and work together.
With the passage of the stopgap budget, Illinoisans now have some sense of security that there is a responsible plan in place to bridge funding while lawmakers work together to address Illinois’ fundamental issues.
Although this budget is only temporary, I am hopeful that it will serve as a platform for future progress.
The trust can be built, relationships can be formed, and compromise can be found. We can accomplish so much when partisan politics is no longer allowed to overshadow responsibility.
The road ahead will not be easy and there will be challenges. Illinois has a long way to go to regain its position as a national leader and once again become the great state that the people of Illinois deserve.
However, the potential is there, and I am ready to put in the work to make Illinois a state where families want to live and employers believe they can thrive.
In the coming months, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle continue to embrace the spirit of compromise and we can begin to take steps towards resolving Illinois’ biggest obstacles.
As always, I hope you will contact me or my office with any questions or concerns you may have. You can also visit my legislative website atwww.senatormcconnaughay.com.
Sincerely,
Karen McConnaughay
State Senator for the 33rd District
Illinois schools to receive funding boost
It’s official.
All Illinois schools are receiving a major boost in funding thanks to the bipartisan education budget passed at the end of June, according to data released by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
According to State Superintendent Tony Smith, every single school district in Illinois will receive more money than it did during the previous year.
All schools will receive at least their 2015-2016 school year funding level, plus a share of a statewide $250 million equity grant. If the existing formula would have given them more money than that for 2016-2017 school year, then the district will receive that higher level.
Attention parents, students and educators: What are your thoughts on PARRC?
The Illinois State Board of Education wants to hear from you! The State Assessment Review Committee (SARC) is asking students, schools and families to offer their feedback as part of a listening tour on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment process.
State Superintendent Tony Smith says your input will help efforts to make the PARCC assessment as useful as possible for both students and the teaching community.
Do you know an outstanding veteran?
The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking help from the public to honor the outstanding work of military veterans and businesses who have made significant contributions to veterans’ causes.
The Illinois Veterans Patriotic Volunteer and Appreciation Award honors the work of an Illinois veteran for the veteran community and local communities, while the Illinois Veterans’ Business Appreciation Award highlights the work of any business, organization, or non-profit that has significantly helped veterans.