Visits Schools in Rantoul and DeKalb and Fights Against Classroom Cuts  

CHICAGO - With one week to go left in the spring legislative session, Governor Pat Quinn today continued to push for a responsible budget that properly funds schools and avoids devastating cuts to the classroom. If the Illinois General Assembly fails to pass a budget that provides adequate revenue for schools, education at all levels could face $1.1 billion in cuts - including  elementary, secondary and higher education - which would result in up to 15,000 teachers being laid off across the state. The Governor will discuss the importance of properly funding education today at a high school academy in Rantoul and later at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, while urging lawmakers to pass a balanced budget that avoids cuts to schools. 

"Every child in Illinois deserves access to a great education," Governor Quinn said. "That's why it's so important that we pass a responsible budget that properly funds our schools. As we enter the last week of the spring session, I urge legislators to pass a balanced budget that properly invests in education so we can build a brighter future for all our students."

About half of Illinois' discretionary budget goes to education. If the state's personal income tax rates drop as is currently scheduled, local school districts will suffer $875 million in cuts. This will cause massive teacher layoffs, significant class size expansions, program eliminations and will lead to higher property taxes. A district by district impact may be viewed at this link: http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/budget/Documents/Property_Tax%20Impact_FY15_Not_Recommended.pdf.

Higher education will suffer a similar fate without the continued revenue of the current income tax rate. The $304 million reduction to state universities includes the following cuts: Chicago State University, $4.6 million; Eastern Illinois University, $5.5 million; Governors State University, $3.1 million; Illinois State University, $9.2 million; Northeastern Illinois University, $4.7 million; Northern Illinois University, $11.6 million; Western Illinois University, $6.5 million; Southern Illinois University, $25.3 million; University of Illinois, $82.6 million; and Illinois Math and Science Academy, $2.3 million.

These reductions would cause layoffs, class and program eliminations and significantly higher tuition rates. In addition, 30,000 fewer students would receive Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants to attend college. This state grant program is often the only way that thousands of students in need are able to attend college.      

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SEWARD, NE (05/23/2014)(readMedia)-- Concordia University, Nebraska named 223 students to its honors list for the spring 2014 semester.

The top 25 percent of all undergraduate students who complete at least 12 credit hours qualify for the honors list.

Spring honors students from your local or surrounding area include :

Naomi Iltis, junior, Le Claire, Iowa

About Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Neb. that currently serves over 2,100 students. Concordia offers more than 50 professional and liberal arts programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

Rivermont Collegiate 127^th Commencement

Friday, May 30^th, 2014

10:00 a.m.

South Lawn of the Historic Bettendorf Mansion

1821 Sunset Drive - Bettendorf, IA

Commencement Speaker: The Honorable John Telleen, J.D. - Judge of the Seventh District of Iowa

Special Dedication: The historic St. Katharine's-St. Mark's / Rivermont Bell, newly mounted in front of Becherer Hall, will be dedicated by the Class of 2014, Faculty, and Board of Trustees

Graduates

Jennah Davison, daughter of Bill and Donna Davison of Eldridge

To attend Augustana College, Illinois

Summer Lawrence, daughter of Mike Lawrence and Sherry Maurer of Rock Island

To attend Case Western Reserve University, Ohio

Victoria Mbakwe, daughter of Uche and Casey Mbakwe of Davenport

To attend University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Amanda McVey, daughter of Brian and Karen McVey of Davenport

To attend Hollins University, Virginia

Shravya Pothula, daughter of Aswartha and Jyothi Pothula of Rock Island

To attend Baylor University, Texas

Ming Sui Tang, daughter of Tao Tang and Lan Wang of Shanghai, China

IOWA CITY, IA (05/22/2014)(readMedia)-- University of Iowa students from your area have been selected to study abroad this summer with the University of Iowa CIMBA Italy program.

Students be studying abroad for four weeks in Paderno del Grappa, Italy at the base of the Italian Alps. While abroad, students complete six credit hours in the areas of business, journalism, communication, Italian, and engineering.

UI students from your area include :

Danielle Darland of Davenport

Anubhav Balakrishnan of Moline

Alexa Hanson of Eldridge

Students have the opportunity to indulge in Italian culture through excursions in local towns, participate in international company tours, network with students from around the globe, and travel Europe during two extended weekends. This summer, 39 University of Iowa students were selected to attend the CIMBA Italy program and will join 234 students from around the United States.

The University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business is the degree and credit-granting institution for the Consortium Institute for Management and Business Analysis (CIMBA). The Consortium is made up of 36 universities across the United States that annually send over 450 students and faculty to CIMBA's campus in northern Italy. CIMBA trains future professional leaders during undergraduate, graduate, and MBA study abroad opportunities. CIMBA's location in the Veneto region of Italy provides an environment rich with history, art, and an entrepreneurial spirit. To learn more about CIMBA, visit CIMBAItaly.com.