SPRINGFIELD, IL - Governor Blagojevich's decision to make the final two state aid payments to school
districts on time, as promised, is being applauded by the president of the state's largest education employee's union.
Illinois Education Association (IEA) President, Ken Swanson, praised the governor's decision to make the payments by June 30th, the end of the current fiscal year, rather than holding the money until the fiscal year that starts July 1.
"Though it's good news the money will arrive as promised, the bad news is that children statewide are still denied equal opportunity because state support, even when it arrives on time, is inadequate," Swanson said.
The looming threat of withheld payments had sent a shiver through cash-strapped districts that rely on the timely delivery of state aid to pay their bills and create spending plans. Financial uncertainty had made contract bargaining with employees more difficult.
"We are pleased the governor is standing by his long-held position that the payments should always be made as promised," Swanson said.
"The necessary next step is to fix the broken public school funding system and help underfunded districts to narrow the gap between themselves and well- funded districts. All students deserve the opportunity to attend a great public school," he added.
The Illinois Education Association is the state's largest education employees' organization, representing more than 130,000 elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals, retired educators and college students preparing to become teachers.