Stimulus Cash Rolling In For State Schools

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 21, 2009 9:15PM

Just like the state's transit agencies, Illinois schools are bringing in federal stimulus cash. The Trib is reporting that the state will be given almost $1.4 billion to help stave layoffs and cuts and Gov. Quinn's office says some schools could start receiving money within a matter of days. According to the Trib, "Quinn has said about $1 billion will be used to pay down the state's backlog of bills to school districts and avoid funding cuts, according to a spokeswoman. Unpaid bills total more than $1 billion as part of an overall $3.6 billion backlog, the state comptroller's office said. Quinn plans to use the remaining funds to raise the per-pupil funding next school year to $6,089, up $130."