SPRINGFIELD, IL -On Saturday, the Illinois State Senate and House of Representatives passed a budget for the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09). The General Assembly also moved substantial ethics legislation to the Governor.

"I'm pleased that we were able to pass a modest budget, on time, and move substantial ethics legislation to the Governor," said State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign).

Ethics legislation in House Bill 824, which restricts campaign contributions from state contractors, increases disclosure requirements, and creates new penalties for violations, cleared both houses and moves to the Governor.

"This legislation will show the citizens of Illinois that we are serious about ending 'pay to play' politics in Illinois," said Senator Frerichs.

Within the passed budget, the University of Illinois is set to receive an increase of $37.7 million (5.3%) in funding. This includes an additional $19.9 million (2.8%) increase for operations and $15.8 million for four state scientific surveys which will come to the University, if legislation sponsored by Senator Frerichs is approved by the Governor. Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants were also increased by $18 million. Legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Frerichs, increasing the maximum grant amount by $1,500 over the next three years passed both houses earlier this week.

"I am glad that funding for the U of I has been increased," said Senator Frerichs. "Even though times are tight, the U of I desperately needs funds. In recent years, tuition and fee increases have been necessary to keep pace with the rising costs of maintaining a quality institution. Hopefully, this funding will alleviate some of that strain."

The General Assembly's proposed budget increases education funding by $516 million to $7.609 billion. Included in the budget is an increase of $ 141.2 million for General State Aid to provide a $225 per pupil increase to the Foundation Level. The Foundation level, which would increase to a total of $5,959 spent per pupil, establishes the minimum amount of funding each school must receive per student. Agricultural education funding was also boosted by $500 thousand.

The budget plan will increase University of Illinois Extension funding throughout the state by $1.5 million. This corresponds to the amount requested by the Cooperative Extension Service to fully fund the County Board Match, the primary way in which Extension operations are funded. Earlier this year, funds for the University of Illinois Extension and 4-H programs were threatened to be cut.

"This has been a nice reversal," said Senator Frerichs. "A few months ago we were fighting to keep the Extension program running, and now they will be receiving a boost in funding."

The proposed budget will increase Downstate Transit Assistance funding by $48 million. Community Water Testing will receive an additional $436 thousand and an additional $4.4 million will be provided for Clean Air Activities.

"I think more people will utilize mass transit in our more urbanized areas, such as Champaign-Urbana and Danville, as gas prices rise," said Senator Frerichs. "We need these funds to adapt to the changing times."

A supplemental appropriation for the Department of Transportation (IDOT) was also approved. Severe winter weather this year has been particularly hard on highways, producing a record number of potholes and causing other road damage. Asphalt, which requires oil, and concrete prices have increased, making maintenance costs even higher. The rising cost of fuel has strained the Department's budget in terms of costs for its many vehicles which service roads. IDOT has already maximized its spending ability and cut many services.

"When we passed the budget last year, I don't think anyone could foresee the perfect storm of gas prices above $4 and an increased need for road maintenance," said Senator Frerichs. "We have to adjust to the current situation because they need these funds to keep our highways safe."

"Overall, I am pleased with this year's budget," said Senator Frerichs. "We limited our spending, while providing modest increases to the U of I, primary education, and U of I extension offices." Both the budget and ethics legislation have been sent to the Governor for his consideration.