HR1006 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1006 LRB096 21510 RCE 38237 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is facing an estimated $13 billion deficit entering into Fiscal Year 2011; and

WHEREAS, Illinois' lagging economy has slowed revenues to the State Treasury to pay bills, which has affected individuals, families, and in particular Illinois' public school system; and

WHEREAS, The backlog of past due bills for school districts in March 2010 is over $800 million and is expected to increase; and

WHEREAS, The delayed State payments to school districts is making it difficult for school boards to maintain balanced budgets in the current fiscal year as required by law; and

WHEREAS, The State Comptroller's current policy is to delay processing payments to school districts for mandated categorical services, such as to the six special education programs and reimbursement for transportation services, until such time as there is sufficient revenue to pay school districts for all of these programs in full on a quarterly basis; and

WHEREAS, The State Comptroller's payment policy is causing financial distress for school districts; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the State Comptroller to change his payment policy to make payments to school districts for mandated categorical services by program when adequate funding becomes available; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be forwarded to the State Comptroller.