Governor's arrest adds uncertainty to school funding
The arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the prospect that he could step down or be removed from office has only added to the uncertainty surrounding school funding in Illinois.
Blagojevich has offered a mixed bag for education in the state, preserving state aid while cutting funding for school building projects.
Educational observers and advocates reflected this ambivalence Tuesday.
"The loss of him in an advocate role could hurt education," said Beverly Bunch, professor of public administration at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
But Bunch and others noted Blagojevich's absence could open the door for discussion of alternative sources of education funding.
"I think some of our membership will think that's an opportunity to maybe look at long-term funding," said Ben Schwarm with the Illinois Association of School Boards.
Blagojevich has opposed efforts to raise taxes in order to bolster funding for public schools.
Some school finance officials said higher taxes should be on the table if their chief opponent leaves office.
"Nobody wants more taxes, but when you're looking at a state that's $2 billion in the red, and we haven't gotten any money since July 1, we have to do something," said Cheryl Crates, chief financial officer for Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300.
Because of the state budget crisis, District 300 and other districts across the state haven't received more than $1 billion in state funding this year for areas like special education and transportation.
Blagojevich last week announced a plan to borrow $1.4 billion to make payments to schools and state contractors, but the future of that plan is now uncertain.
"We're currently unsure of how this will play out," said Mary Fergus, spokeswoman for the Illinois State Board of Education.
With the imminent departure of Illinois Senate President Emil Jones and the potential resignation or impeachment of Blagojevich, the school funding dilemma could fall in the lap of the governor's traditional opponent - House Speaker Michael Madigan - and Jones' replacement, Sen. John Cullerton.
"We're going to have to rely on the leadership of (Cullerton) and Speaker Madigan to be the voice for school districts and provide the funding that's necessary," said Bill Farley, finance chief in Wheaton-Warrenville Unit District 200.
The complaint against Blagojevich leaves the future of the controversial plan to lease the Illinois Lottery and other initiatives backed by the governor in doubt.
"Here we are preparing for our 2009-10 school year, and who knows what's going to happen," said David Zager, assistant superintendent for finance in Naperville Unit District 203.