Springfield…State Representative Mark Beaubien (R-Wauconda) is co-sponsoring legislation that will help school officials throughout the state end the fiscal year with a balanced budget. Specifically, House Resolution 1293 urges the Governor to accelerate the final two General State Aid payments from July to June for Illinois schools.

Illinois law requires school districts to have a balanced budget at the end of the fiscal year. The 23rd and 24th General State Aid payments in fiscal year 2008 total nearly $387.5 million.

“Without receiving a full year of General State Aid payments, school districts are left in financial limbo and are forced to find alternative sources of revenue to balance their books. The Governor has the final authority in accelerating these final two payments and should take every action to make sure schools have the resources necessary to provide for the upcoming year,” Rep. Beaubien said.

As the fiscal year is ending in June, Rep. Beaubien urges the Governor to authorize accelerated payment immediately.

“Putting the General State Aid payments off until July would cause significant financial hardship for our schools. This can easily be avoided if the Governor authorizes the final two accelerated payments,” Rep. Beaubien said.