 Quinn announced on Wednesday that 18 school districts will be
getting a total of $270 million for construction and remodeling of
school property. The money is part of a $30 billion plan to build
roads, bridges and schools statewide. Lawmakers approved the plan in
2009, but a portion of the funding is still being distributed.
School districts have been waiting since the plan was enacted to
learn if their district would receive money. Many local
superintendents expressed relief on Wednesday after hearing that the
money is coming their way.
Tim Bleyer, superintendent of Carterville Unit 5 Schools, said he
is going to use the $22 million from the state to finish a new high
school. Bleyer said his district was in desperate need of the new
school.
"We are a growing district in southern Illinois," Bleyer said.
"We have a high school that was built in 1924; we have been trying
to build a new high school since 1974. And this allows us to
complete it and take care of some additional needs we have for
classrooms because we're just running out of space."
Prophetstown, near the Quad Cities area, is in line to receive
$14 million to build a new high school
Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Rock Falls said he was happy to hear the
news.
"It's really exciting for this community; it's certainly needed,"
Mitchell said. "Superintendent Rogers was really pleased, and
they're certainly ready to move forward with that building as soon
as possible."
Warrensburg-Latham District 11, near Decatur, was awarded $10
million to put toward the construction of a new high school.
Emmett Aubry, superintendent of the Warrensburg-Latham school
district, said the money is sorely needed.
"It's going to be significant, because what it means is we can
put the last wing on, which is all classrooms," Aubry said.
Although all involved are thrilled to receive the money, some
lawmakers expressed frustration with the seemingly politically
motivated timing of the announcement.
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Rep. Robert Pritchard, R-Sycamore, whose district includes DeKalb,
which received $20 million for a new school, said the timing
disappoints him.
"It was something that we approved well over a year ago, that was
intended to try and help turn the economy and stimulate some job
creation and job preservation," Pritchard said. "I'm disappointed
that's it's taken this long, and now it's in the shadow of the
election and it looks like all of this is political. But this was
passed in a bipartisan spirit."
But Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said Quinn was just doing his
job.
"Good government is good politics," Bradley said. "And these
districts have been waiting on this money for a long time."
Quinn responded to the criticism that his announcement was
politically motivated by saying the timing was merely a coincidence.
"I've been doing these announcements ever since we passed the
law," Quinn said.
But James Briscoe, superintendent of DeKalb School District 428,
said he isn't worried about the political implications.
"It doesn't matter to me if it's political or not," Briscoe said.
"Our community is going to jump for joy as our taxpayers, like
everywhere else, are getting hit hard. And this is just a very
positive shot in the arm for our community."
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By JENNIFER WESSNER]
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