State budget gives Sterling sigh of relief

BY ANDREW WALTERS SVN REPORTER awalters@svnmail.com Like most school administrators, Wil Booker has been following the state budget crisis closely. So closely, in fact, that he was among the first to get the word that Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed the $60 billion budget Thursday afternoon. "I called the governor's office asking when he is going to sign it. I spoke to one of the governor's assistants, and she said 'He is signing it right now,'" Booker said. That was a relief to the Sterling School District superintendent, because the new state budget includes a 9 percent increase in funding for elementary and secondary education. That's $554 million more than last year. For Sterling schools, the boost will be enough to balance the local budget for this year, something that would have been impossible before the state budget was signed. "We are pleased the governor finally raised the budget, so funds for schools can be released. The community has asked us to operate within our means, and now we are," Booker said. It's better late than never for a number of state agencies that were facing potential financial crisis before the budget was signed, 23 days after last year's ran out. In signing the budget, Blagojevich cut nearly $500 million in projects, irritating legislators of both parties. Fellow Democrat Mike Boland, of East Moline, lost $650,000 in spending in his district, which includes western Whiteside and Carroll counties. Gone is $250,000 for Savanna and East Moline water works improvements, for instance. "I was happy that most of it got in there. I disagree strongly, though, with cutting out projects that are very important to our district," Boland said. "He cut $650,000 of what I consider needed things. These are not pork at all." Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo, was dismayed that certain health care facilities took a hit in the line-item vetoes. Blagojevich eliminated $50 million for nursing homes, $40 million for hospitals and $18 million in cost-of-living raises human service workers, according to Sieben. "The governor's budget cuts cover thousands of individual items, so lawmakers will need to closely review his actions and budget message to determine the impact of his recommendations," Sieben said. Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, was more forceful in his reaction. "We return to Springfield next week. There is little doubt that the House will override the 79 pages of items lined out or reduced by the governor," Sacia said. A similar vote will not be likely in the Senate, though, because Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, has said he will not allow an override, Sacia said. Local officials are still a bit confused by what it all means for them. "It is good news that they have done something, but I still don't know what these means for Dixon schools," said Jim Brown, Dixon Schools Superintendent. "I think some schools will do very well with this, and others not. We will be somewhere in the middle." Reach Andrew Walters at (815) 625-3600 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 522. Reach Andrew Walters at (815) 284-2222 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 522.