Usually around this time of year, budget discussions are in full swing. However, these are not usual times and this is certainly not a usual year. The House and Senate are seemingly moving forward with separate budget proposals for FY 09. This is similar to what happened last year, and the result was a session that didn’t end until December. However, this year there are several key events that will probably prevent that from happening. We have testified several times in elementary and secondary education appropriation committees and higher education appropriation committees. Our testimony has expressed support for the budgets of both the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and commented on the absence of a sustainable, reliable revenue source to address program needs. We will continue to monitor where the conversations go over the next few weeks.
Floor Action
School Waivers – SJR 90 (Lightford, D-Maywood, Smith, D-Canton) is the spring 2008 waiver report. The general assembly may disapprove any waiver request or appealed request within a 60-day period beginning March 1. If the general assembly fails to do so, the waiver or modification shall be deemed granted. Because this resolution was not considered by the House of Representatives until this week, all of the waiver requests are granted.
The objectionable waiver requests that were granted include:
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Zion-Benton Township High School and Knoxville Community Unit School Districts’ requests for physical education waivers for two years.
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Ten waiver requests to allow students to use computer simulators for behind-the-wheel instruction in lieu of a portion of the hours required in a car with dual operating controls for a period of five years.
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Rockford School District 205 general state aid and daily attendance calculations for five years.
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Midlothian School District 143 substitute teacher waiver request for five years.
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Waivers regarding student maximum fee for driver education for the following school districts: Chadwick-Milledgeville Community Unit School District ($300), Elmhurst School District 205 (unspecified), Orland Park Consolidated High School District 230 ($300), West Chicago Consolidated High School District 94 ($300), Jacksonville School District 117 (unspecified) and Rockford School District 205 ($300 to $400).
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A request made by Niles Township Consolidated High School District 219 regarding driver education fees up to $500.
Committee Action
Senate Pensions and Investments Committee
HB 4536 (Flider, D-Mt. Zion/Link, D-Vernon Hills) extends the five-year pilot program an additional five years (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2013) to allow retired teachers to return to teaching in a subject shortage area. This
IEA-supported bill passed out of committee unanimously and now goes to the Senate floor for consideration.
HB 5088 (Molaro, D-Chicago/Demuzio, D-Carlinville) provides that any money deposited into the State Pensions Fund from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund should be used to reduce their actuarial reserve deficiencies. These deposits shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any state contributions required under the Illinois Pension Code. This
IEA-supported bill passed out of committee unanimously and now goes to the Senate floor for consideration.
Senate State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee
HB 1434 (Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates/Kotowski, D-Park Ridge) would allow Harper Community College to offer four-year baccalaureate programs in two academic areas: public safety administration-homeland security and technology management.
IEA opposed this amended bill and it failed in committee, only receiving four “yes” votes and five “no” votes.
House Higher Education Appropriations Committee
At the request of committee chair David Miller (D-Dolton), the IEA gave testimony to the committee this week on “Step 3” of the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s budget request for FY09. Step 3 provides for an overall increase in the salary line item of 2.6 percent-3 percent. This is a higher funding level than originally proposed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich in February.
We testified about the need for increased salary funds for the purpose of recruitment and retention of qualified faculty and staff. The chairman of the committee announced his intention to recommend this funding level for higher education to the budget negotiators.
Unfortunately, during the committee hearing, members were notified of an e-mail from the governor to their respective higher education institutions that instituted a budget cut equal to one-twelfth of their remaining General Revenue Fund (GRF) monies. The governor has threatened to hold higher education hostage unless
HB 473, a “funds sweep” bill, passes the House of Representatives. The funds sweep bill would provide the approximately $600 million the governor says is needed to plug a hole in the budget.
Senate Higher Education Committee
SB 2691 (Jones, D-Chicago) requires higher education institutions to establish multi-layered emergency response plans. Many of the universities endorsed the bill while voicing concerns about the plan’s cost. The IEA did not take a position on the bill.
GA Glossary
The Compensation Review Board is an independent commission within the legislative branch of state government consisting of 12 members. The board is charged with determining the compensation for members of the general assembly, judges, state's attorneys, the elected constitutional officers of state government, and certain appointed officers of state government. The board issues recommendations in even-numbered years, which are also election years.
Compensation Review Board recommendations are automatically adopted unless legislators vote to block them. Legislators in both chambers have filed resolutions to reject the increases the board recommended on March 31.