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Lawmaker proposes splitting up the SIU system

SPRINGFIELD — After Thursday’s vote against a plan to shift more money from SIUC to SIUE, a state lawmaker with ties to Edwardsville wants to split the two campuses.

State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) has suggested the idea several times over the past couple decades, but he still feels the effort could win approval, especially in light of this week’s events.

Hoffman said he feels like SIUE doesn’t benefit much from being in the SIU system. He also feels like the two universities have different missions, and having different governing boards for each one will allow both to thrive.

Hoffman has filed similar legislation as recently as 2014.

His bills would essentially do two things: put SIU Edwardsville and the SIU School of Medicine under one umbrella and let SIU Carbondale have its own board.

It would also guarantee the two universities receive the same amount of money, not the 60-40 split it’s supposed to be currently.

Hoffman said that won’t cause SIUC to lose money.

“I would provide money to adequately fund the university systems, which would, I believe, not end up with SIU Carbondale losing money but both the universities would actually see an increase in the money,” Hoffman said.

Local lawmakers aren’t on board with the proposal.

“The timing is awful and it reeks a bit like a tantrum over what happened (Thursday),” State Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) said.

Bryant also said the move would hurt SIU’s research accreditation.

State Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) and State Rep. Natalie Phelps Finnie (D-Elizabethtown) want more time to research the idea, but Schimpf also said in a statement he feels the two universities are better off in the same system.

State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) worries SIUC will lose more money under the proposal, which could be devastating to the community.

News 3 also reached out to SIU system president Randy Dunn. His spokesman told us he wants to wait a few days to respond.

April 13, 2018 0

Illinois State Rep. Dan Beiser to step down effective immediately

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State Rep. Beiser, right, at Banker for a Day event in 2015. (Credit: Office of the Illinois State Representative District 111)

ALTON, Ill. (KMOV.com) –

Illinois State Representative Dan Beiser released a statement on Sunday announcing he would step down effective immediately.

“Serving our Metro East community has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Beiser said in the statement released Sunday afternoon. “I have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people to help improve our communities and I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together.”

Beiser announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking re-election. Beiser says the decision is based around his family.

“In the interest of spending more time with my wife, Teri, my children and grandchildren, I have decided to step down effective today, December 17.”

December 17, 2017 0

New tax credit for teachers

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ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Soon, teachers and principals won’t have to dig deep into their pockets to pay for school supplies anymore. A new tax credit will give teachers $250 in state money to help offset some classroom costs.

The federal government allows teachers to write off $250 already, but this additional money will allow them to use up to $500 per school year to deduct classroom needs.

Teachers will now have more resources than ever before to put into their classrooms. It’s not just thanks to lawmakers passing a new school funding formula.

A bill sponsored by former teacher herself, Representative Sue Scherer (D) will put an additional $250 into the hands of educators.

“It’s very useful to great recognition of what teachers do, how much money they spend for materials and supplies and basic needed that some other students have in the classroom.”

The federal government already allows teachers to write off $250 on their taxes. Now, the state will match that and give them another $250, providing some financial relief.

“I know, when I was teaching, I spent upwards of about $2,000 a year for supplies, for clothing, for food, whatever my students needed to be successful.”

It also helps parents who might not be able to afford their child’s entire school supply list.

“I think it’s going to make a big difference. I don’t think it’s going to cover everything still, but I think it’ll make a huge difference.”

In order to get the credit, they’ll have to work at least 900 hours a school year. Parents say it’s a big step towards helping low-income districts get support every classroom deserves.

“I find, when you get to the middle year, teachers are struggling. They don’t have supplies. They don’t even have cleaning supplies to keep the desks clean.”

This new credit went into effect this school year. It was part of the budget which passed in July. So, while many teachers don’t know about it, hopefully the word gets out to help them offset some out-of-pocket costs.

The State Board of Education says students taking the PARCC Test are improving their scores. Districts made the change three years ago and school officials say now they can see trends in areas they need to improve and utilize more resources to increase scores.

September 15, 2017 0

Ammons won’t run for Davis’ seat

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Photo by: Holly Hart

Holly Hart/The News-Gazette State Representative Carol Ammons hosts a “listening session” at the Champaign Public Library, while exploring a bid for U.S. 13th Congressional District seat currently held by U.S. Representative Rodney Davis. Sunday, June 4, 2017.

URBANA — Saying it was “one of the hardest decisions of my life,” State Representative Carol Ammons has decided not to run for Congress.

“With my deepest appreciation for your support and encouragement, I have decided not to run for the 13th Congressional District in 2018,” Ammons posted on her Facebook page on Monday night.

Ammons, D-Urbana, had been considering challenging incumbent Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, for the past two months and held several “listening sessions” throughout the district during that time.

“Across the 13th Congressional District, from Champaign-Urbana to Edwardsville, I heard you say that the issues and policies impacting your lives on a day-to-day basis, the ones pushing you into survival mode, crushing your families and dampening your children’s dreams, are primarily state issues,” Ammons said. “What I heard at the listening sessions, loudest and clearest, is that right now I am needed most in state government, fighting for Champaign-Urbana and all of Illinois in 2018.”

Ammons, a two-term state representative and former Urbana City Council and Champaign County Board member, said she intends to continue to serve in state government.

“Although many have asked me to run for Congress, many more have asked me to remain a voice in Springfield,” she said. “Right now, Springfield is where I need to be and I promise to continue to be your voice when you’re not there to speak for yourselves.”

Ammons said that, just because she is not pursuing a Congressional seat, she will continue her criticism of Davis.

“Make no mistake — I will still be using my voice to hold Congressman Davis accountable in the coming election,” Ammons said. “He voted to take health coverage away from more than 50,000 of his constituents and has refused to honor his constituent’s requests for town halls.”

During an appearance at the Champaign Public Library in June, Ammons had expressed concerns over raising enough money to challenge Davis.

“What prevents me from declaring tomorrow is the big dollar sign we’ve got to raise,” Ammons said. “If we can’t raise enough money to outspend Americans For Prosperity, which is supporting Rodney Davis and giving him the money, it makes it difficult for me to be competitive.”

The 13th Congressional District extends from Champaign-Urbana on the northeast to Collinsville and Edwardsville on the southwest. It includes all of Champaign-Urbana, Decatur and Springfield and parts of Bloomington-Normal.

Ammons did not immedately return calls from The News-Gazette for comment.

Ammons’ husband, Aaron Ammons, serves on the Urbana City Council.

July 25, 2017 0

Ammons won’t run for Davis’ seat

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