Press Release - Thursday, August 22, 2013
Press Releases
No Data
Governor Quinn Announces More Than $13.9 Million in Capital Funds for LaSalle County Schools
Contact
Press Line: (312) 814-3158
Dave Blanchette dave.blanchette@illinois.gov
Abdon Pallasch Abdon.pallasch@illinois.gov
PERU - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the state will provide LaSalle County elementary and secondary schools with investments totaling more than $13.9 million. The funds are part of $400 million from the governor’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program to construct new buildings, expand existing ones and replace outdated energy systems in schools across Illinois, while creating thousands of construction jobs.
“Our children cannot concentrate on learning if they’re sitting in a school that’s crumbling,” Governor Quinn said. “When I became governor, I initiated the first capital construction program in a decade to elevate our schools and universities to world-class status. The quality of learning happening in our schools will drive tomorrow’s economy. These school construction projects will not only raise the standard of learning in our classrooms, they will bring much-needed jobs to workers around our state.”
Twenty-four districts statewide will receive funding this fiscal year after their projects are certified by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Capital Development Board. The funding will allow districts to construct new schools, classroom additions, and make overdue renovations to aging buildings. In some cases, the funds will be used to reimburse districts for buildings that have already been constructed. These schools had been on a waiting list for committed state funds since 2003, and it took Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! program to deliver the long-awaited funding.
In addition to the $307 million for statewide school construction, other capital money that will be released includes $50 million for maintenance; $25 million to alleviate overcrowding in some Illinois school districts; and $20 million for energy efficiency. This critical funding will help the receiving school districts in every corner of Illinois make schools more accessible to students with disabilities, repair roofing structures and replace old, inefficient heating and cooling systems.
The LaSalle County school districts that will receive funding include:
Peru Elementary School District 124
State Share: $11,714,229
Local Share: $8,239,047
The work involves the construction of a one-story, 37-classroom middle school with a total design capacity for 1,052 students and a home-room capacity for 600 students in grades 5 - 8. The project has been completed.
Grand Ridge Community Consolidated School District 95
State Share: $2,282,758
Local Share: $1,422,711
The work involves the construction of a five-classroom addition to the elementary school for 174 students in grades K - 8, along with renovation to create additional classroom space and remodel the 1938 part of the school. Construction has not been completed.
These school construction projects are part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.
###
Press Releases
No Data