News from Springfield

Last week, the governor’s office released $623 million for school construction projects from the state’s capital construction budget. Nearly 10 percent of that money is coming right here to our district. In fact Marion Community Unit School District 2 received the most money of any school district outside of Chicago, worth $56.62 million. According to the local superintendent, Marion has more than $60 million in local money, so the school district will be able to put lots of people to work on construction projects improving our local schools.

Shawnee Community Unit School District 84 will get a little more than $2 million. With this money and local funds, the Shawnee school district will be able to build an 8-room elementary school addition to Shawnee High School/Middle School, which will help the district operate more efficiently. Right now, its two elementary schools are 26 miles apart. Between the fact that gas prices have gone up and that Governor Quinn keeps cutting bus money (over my strong objections), the district needs to be able to save money on getting kids to and from school.

These projects are both part of the state’s capital construction program, which we passed in 2009 with bipartisan support. It has already created thousands of jobs for construction workers building and repairing schools, roads, hospitals, and other public buildings. It’s paying for other projects here in Southern Illinois, like the new lanes on Illinois 13 between Marion and Carbondale.

Some other good news last week came from Secretary of State Jesse White. He released more than $10 million to help out Illinois libraries, and a lot of our local libraries got thousands of dollars to help pay for books, staff, technology, and other things. In our area, Anna, Benton, Carterville, Harrisburg, Herrin, and Marion received more than $10,000. West Frankfort, Metropolis, and Eldorado received more than $5,000. Carmi, Cairo, Johnston City, McLeansboro, Christopher, Sesser, Carrier Mills, Zeigler, Shawneetown, Vienna, Rosiclare, Royalton, Mounds, Norris City, Galatia, Dongola, Golconda, and Olmsted also received some money.

Even with the Internet, libraries are an important part of our communities. They are a place where children and families can go to learn, where people who can’t afford or can’t get Internet access can go to use computers, and where communities can meet to talk about important issues.

This week, Governor Quinn is giving his budget speech. I hope that he will talk about schools, libraries, and other important areas where the state spends money. I’ve heard rumors that he might talk about closing state facilities, which is a bad deal for Southern Illinois. Our local schools, mental health centers, prisons, community colleges, and universities put thousands of people to work and provide services we can’t really live without. I hope this rumor isn’t true, but I will update you next week.