Press Release - Thursday, August 22, 2013
Press Releases
No Data
Governor Quinn Announces More Than $43.2 Million in Capital Funds for Macon and Sangamon County Schools
Contact
Press Line: (312) 814-3158
Dave Blanchette dave.blanchette@illinois.gov
Abdon Pallasch Abdon.pallasch@illinois.gov
SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the state will provide Macon and Sangamon County elementary and secondary schools with investments totaling more than $43.2 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 capital program to construct new buildings, expand existing ones and replace outdated energy systems in schools across Illinois, while creating thousands of construction jobs.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 were 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 Macon and Sangamon County school districts that will receive funding include:
Meridian Community Unit School District 15
State Share: $28,940,660
Local Share: $15,598,184
The work involves the construction of a two-story, 32-classroom addition to the Meridian Elementary School for 725 students in grades pre-K top 5, along with the demolition of existing classrooms and construction of a two-story, 35-classroom addition to the Meridian Junior/Senior High School for 810 students in grades 6 - 2. Construction has not been completed.
Riverton Community Unit School District 14
State Share: $7,988,990
Local Share: $3,700,307
The work involves the construction of one-story, five-classroom addition to the Riverton Elementary School for 125 students in grades pre-K to 4, construction of a one-story, five-classroom addition to the Riverton Middle School for 138 students in grades 5 - 8; and construction of one-story; seven-classroom addition for 309 students in grades 9 – 12 with home-room capacity for 125 students. The total project cost includes eligible land expenses. The project has been completed.
Pleasant Plains Community Unit School District 8
State Share: $6,297,057
Local Share: $8,806,878
The work involves the construction of a one-story, three-classroom addition to the Pleasant Plains High School for 65 students in grades 9 - 12 for Phase I and construction of a one-story, 15-classroom addition to the Pleasant Plains High School for 374 students in grades 9 – 12 for Phase II. 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