Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Bill would force automatic federal fund transfers to community colleges

Posted in:

Illinois

* One “benefit” of the impasse is everybody appears to be learning lots more about budget mechanics. This is a good idea…

Yesterday, the Illinois House of Representatives provided essential long-term assurance to community colleges in the state by passing HB 4675, which would ensure that all future federal dollars distributed to the State of Illinois for Adult Education and Career and Technical Education are timely appropriated to community colleges, even in lieu of a state budget. Currently, these funds are coded within the Comptroller’s Office as “special funds” rather than “federal funds,” which had previously compromised their ability to be distributed in lieu of a higher education budget. Other similar technicalities within the fund distribution process were addressed by previous bills, but did not include the funds outlined specifically by HB 4675.

“While achieving a full and comprehensive state budget remains my highest priority as a legislator, I am very much committed to doing what I am able in the meantime to alleviate the burden of this current impasse, such as sponsoring and promoting legislation like HB 4675 so that institutions and organizations can continue to acquire as many of the resources they are entitled to as possible. I am especially proud to have had this opportunity to assist our community colleges in this way, as I have always been a tireless advocate for higher education in Illinois. There should be no reason for the state to delay the delivery of these federal dollars to their rightful owners, even in the midst of our own financial dysfunction,” said Unes (R-East Peoria).

Community colleges in Illinois have been especially impacted by the now ten-month absence of a state budget. In Representative Unes’ District, these colleges include Illinois Central College (East Peoria) and Spoon River College (Canton).

“Having these federal funds not be held up by other budget discussions allows our community college to plan for future offerings of Adult Education and Literacy Programming. In addition, we are better able to budget for expansion and enhancement of our Career and Technical Education programs. Each of these programs has a direct impact on our regional economy and enhances Spoon River College’s ability to have an educated workforce available for our region’s employers. Not having a hold on these funds allows us to put those federal dollars to work immediately,” said Curt Oldfield, President of Spoon River College.

Currently, 45% of Spoon River College’s budget for its Adult Education programs is comprised of federal dollars, and amounts to about $65,000 annually. They also receive approximately $79,965 in federal Perkins funds, which support their Career and Technical Education programs.

According to Illinois Central College (ICC) Interim President Bruce Budde, ICC receives roughly $400,000 annually in federal subsidies for its own programs of this kind

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:05 am

Comments

Smart move. Streamlining monies that are caught up is a reform needed for a long time.

Knowing the processes is always good, and more people learning and exposed to the processes is even better.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:08 am
Among the many dangerous elements of the governor’s strategy has been to hold federal funds hostage.

Due to its relative wealth and small DOD-related payroll, Illinois has always been a net exporter of tax dollars to DC.

Don’t give them an excuse to take back even more.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:13 am
Rich, I like your Freudian slip: “budge mechanics.” I agree, more “budges” like this are good until we can a budge-it!

I accept full responsibility for the bad play on words.

Comment by Concerned Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:14 am
Will the hostage be shot before it is freed?

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:34 am
As much as I hate this stupid impasse, this is a slippery slope. Essentially, they are giving money that is not cleared to be used. Yes, I understand the need of it, but if they do this, whats to stop everything else that gets funded to be coded like this? Slippery slope…:)

Comment by MrGrumply Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:50 pm
===this is a slippery slope===

No, it isn’t. This is a coding mistake that should’ve been corrected years ago, but wasn’t because there was no real need to do it. Now, there’s a need.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:54 pm
Why only community colleges? What about the universities?

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:33 pm
How about addressing all the other programs that receive federal funds as well that may also be classified as “special funds”? I don’t think this only affects community colleges. I have a feeling there are other coding mistakes out there, too.

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:40 pm