Southern Illinois News

From Prairie State Wire

Despite Senate raving about $38.5 billion bipartisan budget for FY2019, the numbers don't add up

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

The $38.5 billion budget passed without a revenue estimate is not what it seems.

From SW Illinois News

Bryant introduces family during House floor debate

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) introduced the next generation of lawmakers during the May 29 House floor debate.

Report: Goreville spent $9,286 per student in 2016-17

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 4, 2018

Spending per pupil at Goreville Community Unit School District 1 is down 2 percent from five years ago, according to a Southern Illinois News analysis of district finances.

From Prairie State Wire

Population falling, but Illinois government leaders agree to spend, borrow more

By LGIS News Service | 6 years ago

Illinois state government leaders say they will spend a record $38.5 billion and borrow an estimated $11.5 billion over the next year, according to a fiscal year 2019 budget plan approved by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Report: New Simpson Hill spent $9,530 per student in 2016-17

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 3, 2018

Spending per pupil at New Simpson Hill School District 32 is up 4 percent from five years ago, according to a Southern Illinois News analysis of district finances.

From Prairie State Wire

Breen and Bellock question partisan task force

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

During the May 28 House floor debate, state Reps. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and Patricia Bellock (R-Hinsdale) wanted to know why a Democrat-proposed task force was clearly partisan in membership.

Report: Shawnee spent $10,904 per student in 2016-17

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 2, 2018

Spending per pupil at Shawnee Community Unit School District 84 is down 7 percent from five years ago, according to a Southern Illinois News analysis of district finances.

From Prairie State Wire

Having a professional license but not being a legal resident is absurd, according to three GOP lawmakers

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After barely passing by five votes and pulled for consideration, a Democrat-sponsored bill debated on May 28 came back two days later and passed, but not without a heated GOP debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Several GOP lawmakers reject bill that would prevent state from reversing local districts' denial of charter schools

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Allowing local school districts to deny charter school applications is not ideal, according to three GOP lawmakers.

Former state school employee Parks paid in $4K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $82K in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 1, 2018

Former state school employee Walter Parks, who retired in May 2018, saved $4,434 toward a pension over 3 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Report: Joppa-Maple Grove Ud 38 spent $11,750 per student in 2016-17

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 1, 2018

Spending per pupil at Joppa-Maple Grove Ud 38 is up 15 percent from five years ago, according to a Southern Illinois News analysis of district finances.

Former state school employee Koch paid in $122K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $2.17M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 1, 2018

Former state school employee Mary Koch, who retired in May 2018, saved $122,210 toward a pension over 34 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Kochman paid in $144K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $2.19M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 1, 2018

Former state school employee Cheryl Kochman, who retired in May 2018, saved $143,509 toward a pension over 24 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Ramsey paid in $108K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $2.18M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 1, 2018

Former state school employee Sally Ramsey, who retired in May 2018, saved $108,416 toward a pension over 34 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Cost of college went up for all students at Shawnee Community College

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 1, 2018

In-state tuition and fees rose 3.4 percent for 2017-18 at Shawnee Community College, according to the latest disclosure from the U.S. Department of Education.

Former state school employee Goines paid in $66K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $1.16M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 1, 2018

Former state school employee Sharon Goines, who retired in May 2018, saved $65,516 toward a pension over 19 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Smith paid in $117K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $1.85M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 1, 2018

Former state school employee Jean Smith, who retired in May 2018, saved $116,997 toward a pension over 31 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Butts paid in $103K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $1.78M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 1, 2018

Former state school employee Brenda Butts, who retired in May 2018, saved $102,833 toward a pension over 28 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Wood paid in $67K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $1.65M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 1, 2018

Former state school employee David Wood, who retired in May 2018, saved $67,350 toward a pension over 7 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.