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*** UPDATE *** The governor’s office claims that this grant was not frozen. It was part of the batch of projects that weren’t reappropriated by the GA in May. So, checks couldn’t be cut after July 1. “No special release was made on this project,” I’m told.
* Gov. Rauner’s administration has made an exception to its construction grant freeze and released $3.6 million to help build a new school in Macon County…
State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, who represents part of the school district, said the money should never have been frozen because it comes from a fund that is not part of the political wrangling between the governor and Democrats who control the General Assembly. […]
In the case of the school district, Manar said he made the case that the district had liquidated its old furniture and wouldn’t be able to open next fall if the money wasn’t released.
“Given the circumstances of the school district … it was clear to me that they wouldn’t be able to open for school next year unless the governor’s office reversed its decision,” Manar said. “It has nothing to do with the FY 16 budget. The school district did everything it was supposed to do.”
Manar said the same parameters that led to the release of the money for Meridian should apply to other grants that were supposed to be released this year for schools, park districts and other local governments.
“I think we would be better served if the governor was more reasonable in his approach,” Manar said.
…Adding… From Wordslinger in comments…
Note how the possibility of a school not opening prompted action.
Keep that in mind going forward. No one can take that kind of heat.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:59 pm
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“I think we would be better served if the governor was more reasonable in his approach,” Manar said.
More reasonable? Andy must be seeing something most of us are missing.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:05 pm
Well, if he wants us to judge him based on how well Macon County is doing…
Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:08 pm
Better be careful, Rauner.
A reasonable approach doesn’t raise money and doesn’t placate the dark money donors.
If you actually help people, you can’t take on ISIS.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:13 pm
this is NOT the almighty’s money. These are state of Illinois dollars, NOT GTCR dollars. Commitments should be honored, to local governments and schools.
Comment by just saying Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:19 pm
Note; this is Rauner, choosing.
The 100% right choice, but a choice all the same…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:24 pm
Note how the possibility of a school not opening prompted action.
Keep that in mind going forward. No one can take that kind of heat.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:30 pm
It would be kind of hard for Rauner to put the blame for school shutdowns on Madigan, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried in a future commercial.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:55 pm
Karen Lewis was quoted in the Trib that the CTU is very close to a 1 year contract. Things are moving forward.
Comment by Emily Booth Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 2:01 pm
==Note how the possibility of a school not opening prompted action.==
…See update…
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 2:21 pm
First of all, unless rules changed, the furnishings for school aren’t applicable to a construction grant.
And the reason the district liquidated the “old” furniture before it knew if it could afford new furniture is…..?
This is a classic case of what has to be changed in the future. the issuance of these grants is totally political, and more than a little shady.
In 2004, my local Illinois school district, which had declining enrollment and very little need for new construction, got a $3 million construction grant (35% state funding) on a $15 million project. The district knew it couldn’t justify the expense to taxpayers, so they fully funded it without voter approval using working cash bond fund abatements. the way this works is that schools can sell bonds, often up to 20% of the overall levy, and add it to the real estate tax levy without voter approval.
The original application showed that the district didn’t qualify for a grant, but then the state sent out an “evaluator” and he red lined the spce measured by the architect and viola! They became the 12th highest grant need in the state based upon “unhoused students”. Pretty sleazy stuff.
It’s time to get the state out of the school construction business. If a community wants a new school, it should pass a referendum and pay for it themselves.
Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 2:47 pm
==and more than a little shady.==
Yep. It’s shade for schools to get money for equipment. Of course anything to do with government money is shady in your mind apparently.
==It’s time to get the state out of the school construction business. If a community wants a new school, it should pass a referendum and pay for it themselves.==
So really Bob you are against aid to schools in general. Of course you are. Based on your past comments the way to improve schools is with less money, and now apparently with crappy buildings. Great plan Bob. You’re a genius.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 2:53 pm
“shady” for schools, not “shade” oops
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 2:54 pm
@ AB:
“It’s time to get the state out of the school construction business. If a community wants a new school, it should pass a referendum and pay for it themselves.”
Yeah, and they should get out the construction business as well. Want a road to your city? Build it yourself.
Want water? Save up enough cash and build a water treatment plant, the pipes, and everything else.
Like your fire department to have a fire truck? Have a bake sale.
What’s that? You need the FD to come put your house out, now that it’s on fire? Sure hope you have your ‘FD Subscription Payment’ up to date.
Bob, I think the sun has gotten to your head. Education is one of the pillars of the country. Just because you managed to graduate out of a 1 room school house with Laura Ingalls doesn’t mean in 2015 we need to go back.
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 4:21 pm
Now Trover and Goldberg are two lapdogs of Rauner. I find it amazing Rauner can’t speak for himself for once. You want to cut waste? Start with the Governor’s office already. Czars are a waste of money to begin with. In regards with school construction, your dealing with the Odd Couple here. Rauner is beating his chest showing he can “stand up to Madigan and Cullerton” while Arizona Bob is filling out his resume to become the next state education czar.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 12:10 am