SPRINGFIELD, IL - Recently, State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Gifford) voted for the operational budget for fiscal year 2008 which passed the General Assembly and has been sent to the Governor. Highlights of the budget include an increase in education funding and the fulfillment of pension contribution payments.

"This has been a long and trying session and I am pleased that we were able to come together to pass a budget with strong bi-partisan support," said Senator Frerichs. "While no budget is perfect, a lot of good will come from the funding going into our schools, aiding our veterans, and fulfilling pension promises."

Education funding will see its largest one year increase in state history with the budget providing a $400 per pupil increase from last year. Additionally there is a $25 million increase for the Early Childhood Education Program and a new $4 million Rural Technology Program that will provide schools with updates to their technology infrastructure and equipment, such as computer labs, based on need. Other education programs receiving funds include $5 million in grants to severely overcrowded schools, $5 million for a Technology Immersion Pilot Project and $5 million for Gifted Education Programs.

Public universities, including the University of Illinois, will receive a 2% increase in their funding totaling a base increase of over $26 million which will support faculty and staff salary increases.

"A major achievement of this budget is that it fully funds the pension contribution payments that are due for fiscal year 2008," stated Frerichs. "This was a major budget goal of mine, as we work to pay down our pension debt and ensure that the state is prepared to meet its obligations for those who have worked long and hard for our community's benefit."

Senator Frerichs added that the funding of veterans programs was also important in his decision to support the budget plan. The budget includes dollars to fund the Illinois Veterans' Grant Program at community colleges, for creating and maintaining a veteran Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Outpatient Counseling Program and for the Veterans' Conservation Corps Program.

He continued, "There were issues that this budget did not address such as capital funding for school and road improvement and construction that we will continue to work for. This budget will keep our state operating and our employees paid, but we are not done working."