SPRINGFIELD, IL - Discussions around the Capitol this week has been focused on the Special Session called by the Governor on the ongoing mass transit funding issue in the Chicago area. With the transit bailout seemingly stalled in the House of Representatives after legislation failed to pass with a three-fifths majority during Wednesday's 17th Special Session, many are wondering what is going to happen to the school and road funding that is contained in the budget.

State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) is calling on Governor Blagojevich to sign legislation that was approved with wide partisan support by both chambers earlier this month that would provide schools with much needed dollars for operational costs. The Budget Implementation Plan (BIMP), outlined in Senate Bill 783, authorizes the spending of the education funding set forth in the 2008 budget.

"The Governor could sign the BIMP today and have the budget funding heading to our schools by the New Year, but instead all the attention is going to Chicago's mass transit problems. Illinois schools are more important, period," said Senator Frerichs.

The Budget Implementation Plan increases the per pupil foundation level by $400 per student, which raises the foundation level to $5,734 per child. The BIMP legislation also increases the personnel reimbursement rate for Special Education Teachers. The rate will increase to $1,000 for certified teachers and $700 for non-certified. The last previous increase for special education was in 1985.

"The BIMP was a bi-partisan effort that was worked out and agreed upon by both the Senate and the House," said Frerichs. "There is absolutely no good reason why the Governor has not acted on this bill yet."