print header
 U-46 Response to Governor's Veto
Yesterday Governor Quinn vetoed Senate Bill 2499, a bill that would have provided U-46 with an estimated $22 million for 2010-11 leveling the playing field between U-46 and other Illinois school districts. Dr. José M. Torres, Superintendent of U-46, responded by saying, “We are extremely disappointed with the veto of this bill that was 45 minutes away from becoming law. This legislation would have resulted in U-46 being treated the same as other districts in calculating funding.”
 
The passage of this bill would have corrected the unique situation facing U-46 as a tri-county district by accurately determining the property tax rate based on Cook County, where most of the district taxable property is, rather than Kane County. Without this legislation, the impact on U-46 will not only be felt this year, but also every year going forward.
 
Prior to the veto, there was no indication that the bill would not be signed by Governor Quinn. It was passed in the House unanimously 113-0-1 and in the Senate 40-15. The bill’s chief sponsor in the House was Rep. Keith Farnham (D) and alternate co-sponsors Rep. Fred Crespo (D) and Rep. Randy Ramey (R). SB2499, which was initiated in the Senate by Sen. Michael Noland (D) and co-sponsored by Sen. John Millner (R), passed the Illinois Senate in March.
 
The notion that funds allocated to U-46 would not be fair to other districts does not address the fact that the money rightly belongs to U-46. “By vetoing this bill, our students will be deprived of resources that are justly theirs. Last summer the district received a $7.1 million ‘administrative fix’ for 2009-10 from the State Board of Education to address the inequity. All of this indicated the State Board’s recognition of a problem that needed to be corrected. The U-46 Board of Education and administration will look at the options that are available to us and determine what course of action is in the best interest of the students and taxpayers of our district,” said Torres.
 
In addition to the loss of funding as the result of Governor Quinn’s veto, the State of Illinois still owes U-46 approximately $24 million for 2009-10. 

Governor's message to the Senate regarding Senate Bill 2499 

Flags at U-46 buildings are at half-staff from Sunrise Thursday, 
July 29 until Sunset, Saturday, July 31 in honor of:
Lance Corporal Frederik E. Vazquez
United States Marine Corps
                        Hometown: Melrose Park, Illinois

U-46 Facilities to be Closed on Fridays Through the Summer

In an effort to reduce expenses, all School District U-46 facilities will be closed on Fridays beginning the week of June 14 with staff members working 10-hour days Monday through Thursday. The district will resume its normal schedule on August 2.
 
The U-46 main office located at 355 E. Chicago St. in Elgin will be open for business Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

 
School Supply Lists for 2010-11
School Supply Lists for 2010-11 Full Story

Registration for the 2010-11 School Year
Elementary School registration will be held August 12 from 2-7 p.m. Middle and high school registration will be held August 12 from 3:30-7:30 p.m. and August 17 from 8 a.m.-noon. Full Story

Energy Efficiency in U-46
Be sure to view the January Energy Efficiency Report within the story. Full Story

 
 


Returning U-46 students can pay school fees online with
Meal Pay Plus.

 

Local Weather

Home  |   Site Index  |   Site Glossary   |   Terms of Use  |   Inquiries   |   ISO 9001:2008 Certified QMS

© Illinois School District U-46 All Rights Reserved
Email School District U-46