In August a $5 million line item for
Gifted Education was added to the Fiscal Year 2008 budget bill. Late in August,
Governor Blagojevich issued a lengthy (79 pages) veto message for the bill,
HB3866, but the Gifted Education line was not touched. Items not vetoed or
reduced have become law, Public Act 95-348. For the first time since 2002,
Gifted Education has its own line item in the State Board of Education’s
budget. Language in the
Illinois
school code, contingent upon funding, will now be reinstated.
While
the $5 million will not fund gifted programs in all school districts, it is
symbolic in reestablishing the recognition of gifted children in Illinois. A
state gifted advisory board is working with the Illinois State Board of
Education (ISBE) to create a plan for the best use of funds in the ’07-’08
year. At this time it appears likely that the $5 million will be used for
professional development, training teachers to meet the needs of gifted
students. ISBE is currently holding budget meetings across the state. The
Illinois Association for Gifted Children is encouraging students, teachers and
parents to attend the meetings and express their views on increasing gifted
funding. Meeting dates, times and locations are posted on IAGC’s website at
www.iagcgifted.org
Contact Information:
Governor Blagojevich
Office of the Governor James R. Thompson Center
207 State House 100 W.
Randolph Street, Ste. 16-100
Springfield, IL 62706
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone (217) 782-0244
Phone 312-814-2121
Phone (800) 642-3112
Fax 312-814-6775
Fax: 217-524-4049
governor@state.il.us
Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. D - Chicago 14th
District
327 Capitol Building 507 West 111th Street
Suite 16-600
Springfield, IL 62706 Chicago, IL 60628
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone (217) 782-2728 Phone (773) 995-7748
Fax: 217/782-3242 Fax (773)
995-9061
Email: jones@senatedem.state.il.us
Senate Minority Leader Frank C. Watson - R 22nd District
309A Capitol Building 1355A South State
Route 127
Springfield, IL 62706
Greenville, IL 62246
Phone (217) 782-5755
Phone (618) 664-9108
Fax: 217/782-7818
Fax (618) 664-9112
Email: watson@gvc.net
House Speaker Michael Madigan D - Chicago 22nd District
300 Capitol Building 6500 South
Pulaski Road
Springfield, IL 62706
Chicago, IL 60629
Phone (217) 782-5350
Phone (773) 581-8000
Fax (217) 524-1794
Fax (773) 581-9414
Email:
mmadigan@housedem.state.il.us
House Minority Leader Tom Cross - R - 84th District
316 Capitol Building 530 W. Lockport
Street
Springfield, IL 62706 Suite 204
Phone (217) 782-1331
Plainfield, IL 60544
Fax (217) 782-7012
Phone (815) 254-0000
Fax: 217/782-6812
Fax (815) 609-3994
Email: tom@tomcross.com
Chairperson Senate Appropriations II Patrick Welch - D -
38th District
121A Capitol Building 904 Shooting Park
Road
Springfield, IL 62706 Peru, IL 61354
Phone (217) 782-8287 Phone (815)
223-3747
Fax: 217/782-5340 Fax (815) 223-8446
Email: welch@senatedem.state.il.us Email:
pdwelch38th@yahoo.com
