State Senator John Sullivan recently passed a measure following through on a promise he made to local governments during last fall’s veto session in regards to Regional Offices of Education (ROEs).
Governor Quinn used his veto to eliminate funding for ROEs last year, including money to pay the salaries of the state’s 44 elected Regional Superintendents. In response, Sen. Sullivan was able to pass a bill to temporarily fund the program in the fall veto session by using a small percentage of funds intended for local governments. The measure also created a commission to study and review the role of ROEs to find a more permanent solution.
The commission was scheduled to report its findings by August 1, 2012. In the course of debate over the temporary fix, the point was raised that this deadline wouldn't allow the commission's findings to be incorporated into the crafting of next year's budget. Sullivan promised to address this problem right away in the spring legislative session.
To ensure that the commission’s findings will be incorporated in this year’s budget talks, Sullivan this week made good on that promise and passed a measure that moves up the reporting date four months earlier – by April 1, instead of by August 1.
Click here to read the press release, or click below to download a complete timeline of these events.
