WATERLOO - Jan. 13, 2014.  Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will urge state leaders to overhaul the way schools are funded in Illinois during the final hearing of the Education Funding Advisory Committee (EFAC) this afternoon in Waterloo. Simon said the current formula hurts rural and high-poverty districts and should be changed before the 2014-15 school year.

"In our current system, the perennial losers are low-income and rural communities: those with the least local resources and the least political clout," Simon said. "Yet our state needs all students to succeed if we are to grow our economy and improve our quality of life. It will take guts to fund these schools equitably, but it is a moral and economic imperative."

Simon recommended several changes, including a cap on the state payments made to offset property taxes and the merging of transportation funds into the primary funding formula. She also asked the committee to tackle "proration," or the way the state handles payments when funding falls short. Districts that rely most heavily on state dollars should be cut at a lower rate than those who rely least on state funds, she said.

"The proration inequity has contributed to financial instability in districts across the state, and is most visible in North Chicago and East St. Louis. We will see more districts in jeopardy if we continue on our current path," she said.

Started by State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), the purpose of the Advisory Committee is to examine the state's current education funding system and propose a system that provides adequate, equitable, transparent, and accountable distribution of funds to school districts that will prepare students for achievement and success after high school. The Advisory Committee is comprised of eight members appointed by the Senate president and the Senate minority leader.

The Illinois State Board of Education notes that the Advisory Committee is required to consider the following when making its recommendations: the number of students in a school and school district and the level of need of those students; a school district's ability to provide local resources; transparency and accountability; revenue predictability; and the long-term implications and outcomes of the funding system. The Advisory Committee must seek input from stakeholders and members of the public on issues and possible improvements to the existing funding system.

Simon serves as the state's point person on education reform. In this capacity, Simon is working to increase the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees or certificates to 60 percent by 2025. As chair of the 25-member Governor's Rural Affairs Council, Simon is also working to improve the delivery of state services and education opportunities to rural Illinois.

A copy of Simon's testimony is available upon request.

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa said today that Kennedy Salow of Walker has received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., for the 2014-2015 school year.

Salow is the daughter of Kim and Joel Salow.  She will graduate in May from Center Point-Urbana High School.  Salow participated in student council, basketball, volleyball, track, large group speech, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Art Club, and Just Eliminate Lies.

"Admission to the service academies is highly competitive and a great honor," Grassley said.  "Students work very hard to earn this kind of opportunity.  I wish Kennedy Salow well and thank her for her commitment to serve our nation."

Salow was among the 55 Iowans Grassley nominated this year for appointments to the U.S. service academies.  Information about seeking nominations can be found on Grassley's website.

For more than 200 years, these academies have educated and trained individuals to lead and command the U.S. armed forces.

GREENVILLE, SC (01/09/2014)(readMedia)-- Danielle Hurst, a Senior Elementary Education major of Bettendorf, was among approximately 1,450 Bob Jones University students who were named to the Fall 2013 Dean's List.

To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a 3.0 grade point average.

Located in Greenville, S.C., Bob Jones University is a biblically faithful, Christian liberal arts university focused on educating the whole person to reflect and serve Christ. BJU offers a unique blend of rigorous academic programs, discipleship, and character and leadership development. We are committed to the truth of Scripture and to pursuing excellence in all we do.

BJU provides over 70 undergraduate and graduate programs in religion, education, fine arts and communication, arts and science, and business. BJU has over 3,000 students from every state and more than 40 countries.

BELOIT, WI (01/08/2014)(readMedia)-- The following local students have been named to Beloit College's Dean's List for the fall 2013 semester:

First-year Olivia Covert-Proctor of Bettendorf, IA.

Senior Devin Lundy of Davenport, IA.

To be eligible for the Dean's List, a student must carry a semester GPA of 3.4 or higher and take a minimum of 3 letter-graded units for the term.

Beloit College is a residential, liberal arts college offering 40 majors to its 1,250 students. Located 90 miles northwest of Chicago, Beloit is one of the nation's most international colleges, drawing students from 41 nations as well as 48 states.

For more information, visit www.beloit.edu.