Tryon discusses Illinois House education funding

The Illinois House nearly unanimously approved budget implementation legislation last week, which authorizes spending of the education funding approved in the 2008 budget, announced state Rep. Mike Tryon, a Crystal Lake Republican.

Senate Bill 783 contains $300 million for education funding including a $400 increase in per pupil spending and a $1,000 increase for special education teachers.

Without a budget implementation bill, this funding cannot be released.

This bill includes a provision to ensure that no school district will receive less in state aid dollars than they did last year.

"For several months, education funding has sat untouched because of political games being played by the state's Democratic leaders.

"My House Republican colleagues and I have continuously demanded the education funding be released through the passage of (such a) bill and today that legislation was finally called for a vote," Tryon said.

Senate Bill 783 requires approval from the Senate and the Governor before funding is released.

"It is absolutely crucial to our state's school system that this money be released.

"Each month Huntley Consolidated School District 158 is shorted approximately $168,000, Crystal Lake School District 47 is losing approximately $113,000 and Community High School District 155 is denied approximately $142,000, while they wait for lawmakers to release the funds," Rep. Tryon said.

"Schools should not have to prolong their financial decisions any longer and should be able to receive the state funding promised to them in a timely manner," Tryon said.