Friday Memo

              April 24, 2009
Illinois reaps stimulus harvest CHICAGO – April 20, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn announced today that Illinois’ application for the first $1.4 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funding (SFSF) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Some of those dollars will begin flowing to schools within days.
Friday Memo Profile: Senator Pamela J. Althoff
―There is a direct correlation between the economic vitality of our state and how we view education,‖ stated Senator Pamela Althoff, (R-32). ―I want to convince my colleagues in the legislature that quality education and increasing the number of college graduates are essential for the state’s economy.‖ As the Minority Spokesperson on the Senate Appropriations II Committee, responsible for higher education funding, as well as a member of the Senate Higher Education Committee, Sen. Althoff is right where she wants—and needs—to be to express her point of view.
She spoke with The Friday Memo on April 22, outside the Senate chambers. Read more here.
(photo by Jay Barnard)
Data bill, other key legislative initiatives advance
The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee reported SB 1828, which would create a statewide longitudinal student record system to the House floor on a vote of 19-0 this week. The bill embodies a key recommendation of the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success. Rep. Mike Smith, House sponsor of the bill, called it ―the most important piece of legislation we’ll do this spring. It will move the state into the 21st century.‖
SB 1883, another Public Agenda-related bill, passed the House Higher Education Committee, 5-0. The bill would establish a new baccalaureate completion grant program as an incentive for partnerships between community colleges and four-year institutions to bring bachelor’s degrees UPCOMING
April 28 Community College Council of Presidents, Springfield 29 ICCTA Lobby Day May 15 IBHE Faculty Advisory Council, McHenry Community College 30 IBHE Student Advisory Committee, Springfield June 2 IBHE meeting, Governors State University 12 IBHE Faculty Advisory Council, UIC 15-16 4th Annual Coalition for High Schools Conference, A Push & Pull Journey, Bloomington