Sandoval BudgetSPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate voted for progress for the second year in a row Wednesday, passing a balanced budget that funds universities, K-12 education and social services.

State Senator Martin A. Sandoval gave his support to the budget, which adds $350 million to the education funding formula and increases the state’s investment in higher education by 2 percent.

“We’ve gone through three difficult years in Illinois, and this budget goes a long way to putting our state back on the path to progress,” Sandoval said. “We were able to save programs aimed at the most vulnerable and increase funding for our highest-need schools. That’s what state government is here to do.”

Among the programs that were salvaged is the Child Care Assistance Program, which receives a 4.26 percent funding increase. Sandoval also voted to protect autism programs, homeless prevention services, the senior-based Community Care Program and several other necessary services.

Also included in the budget was $25 million for a new tuition grant program that provides additional assistance to Illinois students to remain in the state and attend public colleges and universities. Assistance would be based on merit and financial criteria. MAP, upon which many college students also depend to fund their education, will also be fully funded to last year's levels.

The $350 million added to K-12 education would fulfill the promise of last year’s monumental school funding reform, meaning every district in the state would receive more or equal money than it did a year ago. It would also add $50 million in early childhood education funding, bringing that total to nearly $500 million.

“Bottom line, this bill is not only beneficial to the people of Illinois, but it is directly beneficial to the people of the Southwest side of Chicago,” Sandoval said. “I hope the other chamber and the governor take action on this bill as soon as it reaches them. It’s good policy and it deserves to become law.”

Office Info

Springfield Office:
Senator 12th District
111 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
217-782-5304

District Office:
5807 W. 35th Street
Cicero, IL 60804
708-656-2002