ROCKFORD – State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is ready to head to Springfield and vote for clean education funding legislation that would increase funding for the Rockford and Harlem School Districts.

Under the plan, the Rockford School District would gain $17,952,821 from what it received last year and the Harlem School District would gain $1,583,165.

“This clean education funding plan would put millions of dollars back into the Rockford and Harlem schools, which will help our students get a better education,” Stadelman said. “I don’t see any reason why the governor or any legislator wouldn’t support it.”

Under the governor’s plan Rockford schools would get less money than under the proposal Stadelman is supporting. Wealthy suburban schools do better under the governor’s plan.

Stadelman and other Senate Democrats plan to vote for this education funding plan on Wednesday.

No school district in Illinois would get less money than they received last year under the proposal.

Please join State Sen. Steve Stadelman and the Citizens Utility Board Tuesday, July 12, for a workshop that will give tips on getting your utility bills reduced.

Please join State Senator Steve Stadelman at Terrace Senior Apartments in Rockford for a Community Senior Fair.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman released the statement below following Gov. Rauner’s visit to Rockford to advocate on behalf of a temporary stop-gap budget:

“Despite his initial opposition to the idea, I am relieved that Gov. Rauner has changed his mind and now supports the stop-gap budget proposed by Illinois Senate Democrats last week. I look forward to working with the governor in a bipartisan manner that keeps state government operating and allows schools to open in August until a permanent resolution is found.

“I’m continuing to work toward an equitable education funding plan that will bring an additional $7 million to $10 million to our schools in Rockford. Failing to change the education funding formula will result in our school districts being forced to slash programs while drastically raising property taxes, a solution Rockford taxpayers cannot afford.

“There is much work to be done. I look forward to continuing to work together to reach a bipartisan solution that protects middle-class families.”