Written by Noland Staff Thursday, 18 March 2010 15:14
"School districts are hurting for money. U-46 laid off hundreds of teachers just this week. I am doing everything I can to help them balance their budget without cutting staff or increasing class sizes," Noland said. Because U-46 encompasses portions of both Cook and Kane Counties, it loses millions of dollars in General State Aid every year. Kane County uses actual property value assessments when it applies to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for funding. Cook County uses estimates, and in this case the combination of estimates and actual property value assessments costs the district millions. Senate Bill 2499 requires ISBE to use property tax values from the county that will most benefit the school district for districts that encompass multiple counties (the county with the most equalized assessed valuation). In this case, ISBE would use Cook County’s data. "This is a complex issue, but at the end of the day, U-46 will receive between $10 and 13 million in additional funding from the state," Noland said. "We have been shortchanged for years, and that needs to stop. Our children deserve the best education possible." Senate Bill 2499 has passed the Illinois Senate and now awaits consideration in the House.
SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Sen. Michael Noland (D-Elgin) is working to fix a loophole that cost Elgin School District U-46 $7 million last year.
Senator Noland Menu
22nd District
Years served: 2007 - Present
Committee assignments: Judiciary; Public Health; Criminal Law (Chairperson); Energy; Committee of the Whole; Licensed Activities; Subcommittee on Special Issues; Subcommittee on Transparency (Sub-Chairperson).
Biography: Bachelor's degree and MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago; Law degree from John Marshall Law School. Served as a Corpsman in the United States Navy at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Community volunteer with local organizations protecting the environment and assisting homeless persons. Resides in Elgin with his wife, Veronica, and their two children.